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THE DIARY OF THE 



Rev. RALPH JOSSELIN 

1616-1683 



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THE DIARY OF THE 

Rev. RALPH JOSSELIN 

I616-I683 



EDITED FOR THE 



ROYAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY 



BY 



E. HOCKLIFFE M.A 



CAMDEN THIRD SERIES 
VOL. XV. 



V' 



OF THF -^^^ 

UNIVERSITY ;) 



LONDON 
OFFICES OF THE SOCIETY 

6 ftf 7 SOUTH SQUARE 
GRAY'S INN 

1908 



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PREFACE 



The diary of Ralph Josselin, Vicar of Earles Colne from 1640 to 
1683, consists of 185 pages about 8 inches by 5 written very closely 
on both sides of the page in a very fine and clear hand. It is bound 
in calf with the royal arms stamped on either cover with the letter 
G on the one side and the letter K on the other side of the shield ; 
doubtless this cover belonged originally to some other book. In the 
year 1702 the diary was still in the possession of the family as on 
one of the pages are the words ^^ John Spicer his book ; " it will be 
seen that a Mr. Spicer married the Vicar's youngest daughter 
Rebekah. Its subsequent history is unknown, until it was discovered 
among the late Mrs. Oliphant's books after her death ; how it came 
into her possession is uncertain. 

Less than half the original diary is here published. There are 
many entries of no interest whatever — endless thanksto God for his 
goodness ^^ to mee and mine, " prayers, notes about the weather 
or his sermons, innumerable references to his constant ** rheums " 
and " poses, " trivial details of every day life, records of visits to 
his friends etc. etc. The aim of the present edition has been to 
extract so much personal detail as is required to give a picture of 
the actual hf e of the author, and to include everything that possesses 
any historical interest. The author's spelling has been carefully 
preserved. 

The entries in the diary are frequent and are made almost daily 
in the earlier years, but from about 1665 onwards the vicar seems 
to have made usually only one entry a week. 



J 7:5845 



VI PREFACE 

Ralph Josselyn belonged to the ancient family of Josselyn whose 
name is supposed to be connected with the town of Josselin in 
Brittany, the head of the senior branch of which is the Earl of 
Roden. There was a Ralph Josselyn of Roxwell in Essex, yeoman, 
whose will was proved on May 4, 1632 ; he had seven sons of whom 
the eldest was John. John Josselyn was born about 1583 and died 
in 1636, and was the father of the author of the diary : he had six 
other brothers one of whom, Thomas, emigrated to New England 
in 1635 ; and in Dr. Shaw's " History of the English Church during 
the Civil Wars &c. " will be found the names of other members of 
the same family. The following extract from the will of Ralph 
Josselyn of Roxwell (the grandfather of the author of the diary) will 
show that the family was clearly well to do. ^^ Ralph Josselyn of 
Roxwell in the county of Essex yeoman. To wife Dorothy a yearly 
rent of j£20 for life, she abiding with my sons Ralphe and Symon. 
I have given unto my eldest son John his full part of my estate 
amounting to £800. To my son Richard £200 for his portion. 
To my son Joseph Josselyn £160." It will be seen from the diary 
April 30, 1647, that the author after some difi&culty with his uncles 
received ^^ free and peaceable possession of those parcels of land 
given to Joseph ; this land part of our ancient inheritance ; now I 
have about £20 per annum in land. " ^ 

Ralph was born on January 26, 1616-17, though, judging from an 
entry in the diary under the date January 25, 1654-5, " rose this 
morning and I found my birthday, was 26 not this day as I thought 
hitherto ", he had up to that time reckoned the 25th as the day 
of his birth. The greater portion of his hfe was spent at Earles 
Colne of which he became Vicar in the year 1640. 

It is an ancient town which owes its prefix Earles to the fact that 
the Earls of Oxford were the founders of the Priory which flourished 
till the Dissolution. Effigies of some of the family may still be seen 
at the Priory, a comparatively modern house near the site of the 
ancient monastery. " The 17th Earl of Oxford sold Earles Colne, with 

^ My thanks are due to John H. Josselyn Esq. of Ipswich for this information 
about the Josselyn family ; also to Mr. Ralph Nevill, F.S.A., for his interest in the 
subject. 



PREFACE VII 

the tombs of his ancestors, to his steward Roger Harlakenden for 
£2,000 in Sept. 1583 " and with the Harlakendens of his day our 
Vicar was very intimate. The church itself was built in 1532 and 
upon the tower may be seen the quarterings of John de Vere, 16th 
Earl of Oxford, supported by two reindeer with boar for crest. 
From it in the year 1641 " upon an order of the House of Commons 
to that purpose we took down all images and pictures and such 
like glasses. " The Vicar had come there in 1640, stayed with 
Mr. R. Harlakenden, preached on the Lords Day and " upon their 
approbacon they desired mee I would come and live with them 
as yr minister. " So after he had " passed all with the bishop ", 
he took " peaceable possession " in March 1640 and remained 
there till his death in 1683. 

In the " Valor Ecclesiasticus " the value of the living appears as 
i£8. 10s. 8d, but from the diary under the year 1640 it will be 
seen that the actual value was £80, made up as follows. 

Tithes £40. 0. 0. 

' Mr. Rich. Harlakenden wood and money 20. 0. 0. 

His tenants in contribucon 2. 0. 0. 

Mr. Thomas Harlakenden 3. 0. 0. 

The town contribucon. 15. 0. 0. 

But the Vicar rarely gathered in the whole of this income. * 
Ralph Josselyn appears to have begun to keep a full record of his 
life only in the year 1644. In that year he wrote " Many things I 
have omitted ; but now henceforward I shall be more exact and 
particular, " and from that time till the day of his death we have a 
full account of his life. Through all the chances and changes of 
that time he remains Vicar of Earles Colne. No sketch of his 
career need be given here ; its details are plainly recorded in the 
following pages and a study of them will give a very graphic picture 
of the life of this pious and at the same time business-like clergyman 
of the 17th century. By legacies, by profits from his farm, by 
augmentations to his living, by his salary as schoolmaster or as 

^ Further information upon this with the text of the Harlakenden endowment 
in 1673 will be found in Morant's Essex^ ii, 214. 



VIII PREFACE 

Chaplain to Col. Harlakenden's regiment^ he gradually amassed a 
fortune which enabled him to portion one of his daughters with 
" my house I dwell in and land belonging thereto worth £400, and 
an £100 ; " to another daughter about a month later he gave 
" £500 down and with my blessing sent her away. " " Halfe I 
have gained" he writes at another time " hath not been from Colne 
but on other occasions. " Clearly he enjoyed a greater measure of 
prosperity than many a clergyman of that day. 

The price of land, food, cows and pigs, the wages of servants, the 
cost of a birthday entertainment, the salary of a schoolmaster, the 
excise duty on hops — such details as these will be found scattered 
over the various pages of the diary. We may see the books he 
reads, we may watch him at work upon his Reconciler, in which he 
attempts to rieconcile passages of scripture apparently contradictory, 
or discussing the choice of elders with other ministers ; we may 
hear him lamenting " the heavy burthen of the book of Common 
Prayer ; " at another time he tells us how he administers the Sacra- 
ment upon Easter day 1665 — ** I believe its 22 or 23 years since 
received on that day or occasion ; " he is appointed " an assistant 
in ejecting of ministers or schoolmasters for inefficiency, " he grum- 
bles vigorously at the Quakers* he is summoned to the Bishop's court 
in 1669 for not wearing the surplice, and returns " safe ; " he remain- 
ed obstinate upon the point apparently till 1680. Under May 17 
of that year he writes " Rid to court ; the matter is the surplice which 
I see no sin to use and shall endeavour to live as quietly as may be 
to the end of my race. " 

The picture in fact is full of interesting detail, and perhaps more 
than enough has already been said to describe the general character 
of the book. Such as Josselyn was, no doubt were many of his 
contemporaries ; pious and devout, a preacher of long sermons, a 
devoted adherent of the Parliament, a hater of Laud — " that great 
enemy of the power of godliness " he writes, " that great stickler 
for all the outward pomp in the service of God left his head on 
Tower Hill " and in that simple entry there sounds a note of triumph 
such as doubtless thrilled many a Puritan of that day. But devoted 
as he was to the Parliamentary cause, he yet laments ^^ the black 



PREFACE IX 

9 

providence of putting the king to death, " and is evidently reconciled 
to the return of Charles II. He has all the curious egotism which 
is the mark of a certain type of religious mind ; when in one week 
he has lost both a child and a ^^ dear friend, " though he laments 
their deaths, he seems at the same time to regard them chieBy as a 
warning, in fact a " great mercy " sent by God to himself, (vide 
June 4, 1650.) 

Yet with all his piety, his continued ** exercises " and " expound- 
ings, his " profitable and spiritual discourses, " he combined a strict 
attention to his interests as a farmer, and shrewd business calcula- 
tions jostle cheek by jowl with fervid expressions of piety. We hear 
that ^^ Huggins is undone,'' and in the same breath that Josselyn has 
taken care to seize his crop for rent. 

A kindly if somewhat self-seeking figure he lives again in the 
pages of this diary, and when his story ceases abruptiy on July 27, 
1683, with a broken entry, we feel with real sorrow that we have 
parted from a friend. 



NOTE. 

From a paper on the Harlakenden family contributed to the 
Topographer by G. Steinman (Windsor Herald) it appears that 
Josselin's diary was in the year 1847 in the possession of the family 
of Carwardine which is descended from the Harlakendens. The 
diary also seems to have been at Colne Priory in the year 1765. 
This information, for which I am indebted to Capt. Geoffrey 
Probert, Equerry to H.R.H. Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll, 
unluckily reached me too late for insertion in the first page of the 
Preface. 



\ 



8 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

1639, being ffriday ; my stocke was 20/. 7s. 9d. in money & about 
1/. owing mee, so that I putt up in money besides all my expences 
about 10/. in money & p** my debts. 

Olny : The first quarter at Olny I was only assistant to him in his 
schoole : the first L*** day being Octob : 6 was my eye fixed with 
love upon a mayd, & hers upon mee, who afterwards proved my 
wife : Decemb : 13 my uncle M' Joslin in Norfolke sent mee y* 
offer of a place by him ; but my affection to that mayde that God 
had layd out to be my wife would not suffer mee to stirre, so I 
_ gave the messenger 5s. & sent him away : in that month of Decem- 
ber I was ordayned Deacon by the Bp of Peterburg. The charges 
amounted to 11. 14s. 9d, in my jorney. In my returne I preached 
at Deane, Decemb. 25^ & coming home from thence I read 
prayers at Olny, and that day found Jane Constable the mayde 
before mentioned in our house, which was the beginning of our 
acquaintance. The next L** day I preached at Olny on Acts 16. 
31. & so also on Jan : 1 Newyears day : at night invited to supper 
to Goodman Gaynes. I went in to call Goodwife Shepheard, and 
their my Jane being, I stayed with her, which was o' first proposall 
of the match one to another, which wrought a mutuall promise one 
to another Jan : 23 : and by all o*" consents a contract. Sept. 28. 
1640 : and o' marriage Octob : 28 following. Now henceforward 
I preached once a fortnight & M*" Gifford gave me 10s. per quarter 
more out of his love for my paynes : here I lived with them very 
comfortably & contentedly ; wee used Shovelboard for our recreaton 
of which I grew weary presently : about latter end of ffeb : I was 
ordayned minister at Peterburg by y® Bp. & 6 ministers : I would 
not bowe towards the Altar as others did & some followed my 

1640. example ; charges amounted to 1/. 6s. lOd. That spring I went up 
to Cambridge to visit for my degree of M' in arts as o' custome was : 
charges their and for my gowne and cassocke amounted to 19/. 18s. 
& somewhat upwards : this was a hard pull ; from thence I went 
to Norfolke, & coming home to preach at Olny fayr, fiouds were 
so great as I narrowly escaped drowning in divers places. I hope 
I shall never bee unmindfuU of Gods goodness to mee in my pre- 
servason. Likewise at Olny mighty fall from a chimney into a place, 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 9 

where I walked presently, * as soone as I was passed by. Now 
being M' of Arts & minister I began to thinke of marrying, being 
sure to my wife, but I could not see any convenience how to live. 
Beginning of July I was at Cranham in Essex & preachd their 2 
sermons : about growing in grace ; my uncle & all the towne 
desird mee to live with them, and I seemed not much ag*^ it : to 
Olny I return, & having had some offers from my L^ Mandevill 
which I durst not accept, least I should loose my selfe in a loose 
family, I repayred to Kimbolton thrice to try providence, but neither 
time fitting mee, I resolved, twas not Gods pleasure to raise mee 
that way. I sought him for direction, and about August I was 
continually perswaded ere 3 months God would lay out a way for 
my livelyhood ; one day in September getting a part in private to 
seeke unto God for his direction, as I ended prayer, God perswaded 
mee I should have a present answer of my desire ; as I stood up at 
window I heard one inquire for mee. I went downe and it was 
one sent from Cranham to intreate mee to live with them ; his name 
was Goodman Tavener ; at length wee came to this conclusion that 
y® minister allowing 24/. per annum & my uncle my diett o' 10/. 
& the Towne 10/. more I would come over to them ; home he 
came, made up my proposicons and came over for mee : ff riday 
Sept : 25 I went my jorney : 26, at London wee mett the joyfull 
newes of this Parliam* that is now sitting, 1644, and God long con- 
tinue for his glory, and his Churches good. I was first contracted _. 
to my deare wife at Cranham ; I waited 3 weekes for their 
Minister ; he coming over, wee concluded, so as sent a wagon for 
my stuffe and came to Oiny & marryed Wednesday. Octob. 28, 4 
yeares after my ffathers death. On Monday following wee began o** 
jorney & Nov. 4. came safe to Cranham ; returning I thought of 
my thoughts at Huntington Bridge, & God had brought mee backe, 
increased with wife, goods, and parts ; loe this was the Lords doing, 
twas merveylous towards mee. 

Being come to Cranham I taught schoole at Upminster, which Cranham: 
was great trouble, but no great advantage unto mee ; y*" I had a 1640. 

* Just before. 



10 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

loving people, but I could not injoy my healthy being continually 
subject to Rheumes ; I wanted y® conveniency of a house, & offers 
began to be made to mee so as to my parishes great greife it was 
probable I would remove from them ; the Inhabitants of Houne- 
church layd in for mee and made mee good offers of 80/. per annum, 
viis et modis, certayne, without any trouble on my part : only to 
preach twice on the Lords day, without medling with other dutyes. 
Being in y» condicion M' Wharten of ffelsted was with a freind 
of his at Upminster and I having some business with him went 
over to see him, when I found they had told him I was removing 
from them, upon w*^** he propounded Earles Colne in Essex a place 
in a very good ayre; y« meanes he sayd was about 50/. per annum : 
the towne was able to make it more ; upon y* I promised him to 
goe over upon notice from him ; being ill I had word from him 
that they desired mee on the next Lords day. In the meane tyme 
one of the Towne came over to mee, March. I came over & my 
loving Uncle Ralph Josselin with mee ; wee came that night to 
M' Rich : Harlakendens * at the priory : I was affected with that 
family exceedingly & the situation of the Towne : the next day 
being the Lords day I preachd ; upon y' approbacon they desired 
mee I would come & live with y"» as y' Minister ; I in a word 
answered them, if they would make the meanes a competency such 
as I could live on, w*'** I conceived was 80/. per annum, I would 
embrace ; they gladly entertained it & vale wed it thus to mee : 



Per annum. 

Tithes they would make good at . . . 40/. Os. 

P p . M' Rich : Harlakenden : wood & money 20/. Os. 

p - \ ^ 'His tenants in contribucon : . . . . 2/. Os. 

M' Tho : Harlakenden : 3/. Os. 

And the towne contribucon . . . . 15/. Os. 

The House, close, churchyard and the dues that accrewed to 
the Minister, they conceived to bee worth 10/. per annum ; thus, 
being Gods providence in it, I accepted y' offer, and their was this 
proposicon more, y' if I found not the Towne as good as y' words, 

' Cromwell was related to this family & stayed once or twice at the Priory. 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIAftY 11 

upon 6. months warning wee would part : they desired mee to 
keep a (fortnight lecture, which though I did not engage my selfe 
by promise to keepe, yett I did for sometime : things thus acted, 
wee posted up to London & passed all with the B^. so that, 

March : I tooke peaceable possession, returned to Cranham & 1640. 
after a fortnights stay I brought my wife over, my Uncle and 
Goodman Robson accompanying mee ; but not one man of Earles 
Colne came to meete us on the way, neither did any come to 
welcome us to Towne, which seemed to mee an unkind part, & made 
mee suspect that I was deceived in the disposicon of the people. 

Well, I stayed with M' R. Harlakenden untill Apr. 1641, when 1641. 
wee went to board with M' Edw. Cressener ; wee p** 5/. per 
quarter ; here wee lived, quietly, and very content**ly. I would 
not desire better usage, tis but y» due commendacon of y' love & 
respect to us. I fell to my worke in y* Ministery, & now I began 
to 43repare my house ; money came not in from the Towne as was 
expected. In a word I layd out my 20/. and M' Harlakenden, 20/. 
The Towne sliould have raysed 20/. more, but y' was none would 
take any care for it : to this day they have not brought in 5/. that I 
can give an account of ; this was a little trouble w** my quarters 
came : one or 2 was gatherd not by their care but by my procuring 
men to doe the same ; 2 persons refused at first ; my 3/. 15s. per 
q**'. fell under 3/. the first quarter, neither did any take care to 
make it up : when tithes came I must doe it my selfe : I com- 
pounded : with all my toyle, I thinke y^ yeare I could make them 
amount not above 33/. and since they are come to lesse, & all the 
losse to this day hath fallen upon my shoulders : I confesse I was 
stumbled at y' dealings, & some abuses offered mee about the 
Protestacon, so that I wonderd at the people, and supposed it 
would grow bad indeed, that made so bad an entrance ; in the 
country I must confesse I had many private guifts, which helpd to 
make amends for the towne losses. 

June, I rid to my fathers, * left my wife y^ came home by 
Deane, & June 28, I rid to Olny in a day ; my father came home 

* Father-in-law's. 



12 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

with us, who was much affected with Colne and delighted to bee 
with us until his death. July, wee rid to my Lady Denies, and 
__ then I began to have some hopes of my wives breeding which 
proved so indeed to o' great joy & comfort, blessed bee the name 
of the L**. Returning I applyed my selfe that summer to hasten y* 
compleating the House fitt for our winter dwelling, which being in 
some measure effected Octob. 20 : with a mayd Sarah Browne to 
whom wee gave 1/. ISs. per annum, wee came up to o' owne house 
in y® high streete ; no neighbo' came to wellcome us to o' house 
but M" Cousins with 2 from Gaynes Colne, & M" King & her 
sonne & daughter one night : I esteemed it some disrespect and 
unkindnes, but such expressions I perceive now are not so much 
used in o' towne as in others. 
This Michaelmas, upon an order of the House of Commons to 
^ that purpose wee tooke downe all images & pictures and such like 
glasses : thus this winter passed away a time of hopes, & yet 
sometimes feares, but the King being returned out of Scotland, 
Jan : 5. 1641 : he attempted the house of Commons in case of the 
5 members; but being disappointed he packd away from the house 
and came to them not to this houre, Aug : 8. 1644, & in ffeb : 
following the Q. went over beyond seas ; thus spinning out my 
1642. time, I began a litle to be troubled with some in matter of separa- 
. con. My wife now growing bigge & ill, my mother ' came from 
Olny to us upon a Tuesday lecture day, April : 12 : after sermon, 
having waited upon God in his house, my wife called her women 
and God was mercifull to mee in my house, giving her a safe 
deliverance, & a daughter which on Thursday April : 14 was 
baptized by the name of Mary, M' Rich : Harlakenden, M' John 
Litle, M" Mary Mildmay & my wives mother being witnesses. I 
entertayned my neighbors all about ; it cost me 61, & 13s. 4rf. at 
least : they shewed much love to mee from all parts : God blessed 
my wife to bee a nurse, and our child thrived, and was even then 
a pleasant comfort to us : God wash it from its corruption & 
sanctify it and make it his owne : but it pleased God my wives 

* Mother-in-law. 




RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 13 

breasts were sore, w^^ was a greivance & sad cutt to her, but with 
use of means in some distance of time they healed up : this Spring 
times grew fearful in the rising of the yeare ; about Midsummer - ^ 
wee began to raise private armes : I found a musquett for my part 
and the King was beginning to raise an army. The Parliam^ did 
the like. Aug : 1 : wee met at Colchester to underwrite, where for 
my p^, for my affection to God & his gospell, having endeavoured 
publike promoting it beyond my estate, I underwritt & payd in 
to M' Crane, 10/., but my Rings wanted something, so it fell 
short nigh 3s. Being at London I provided for my selfe Sword, 
Halbert, Powder and Match ; the drums now also began to beate 
up ; for my part I endeavoured to encourage others to goe forth ; 
our poore people in tumults arose & plundered divers houses, 
papists & others, & threatened to goe farther, which I endeavored 
to supresse by publique & private meanes ; Edgehill battle being 
fought, Wednesday following being the fast day, I was told the 
newes as I was going downe the churchyard to sermon ; the time 
& place hinted the answer of our prayers on the L**» day, being the 
day & the time of battle, when I was earnest with God for mercy 
upon us agst our enemies. Upon this the contry was raised & I for 1643. 
my part sent a man out with a months pay, but he returned 
presently but spent the most of my money. In spring now my 
wife weaned her daughter and began to breed again : God gave us 
both our health in a greater measure than I had had before o' my 
wife of late dayes. I should have mentioned o' associating * in w^^ 
service I underwritt a whole armes * ; they went out to o*" great 
charge, and did litle o' no good. I began now to find my meanes 
grow scant, y^ notw^**standing all our industry & good husbandry 
and many guifts, y* I could have but litle ; upon w*'** I gave notice 
to the Towne to prevent it that I might not bee forced to leave 
them. June : 10 : 1643 my wives father dyed ; the Lord prepare 
us for our latter ends, & give us mercy with him through Jesus 
Christ. New Towne came to mee to remain : ffordham, Thaxted, 
& I went & preached with the last but would not accept the 

' The Eastern Association. 
' cf. p. 13. line 8. 



14 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

Sequestracon. In July upon occasion of a plot ' to betray the City 
there was another new Coven^ * propounded & begun to bee pressed. 
I tooke it but the state lett it fall ; things were now sad with us. 
Waller routed, ' & ffairfax, * & Bristol lost, & Hull like to be 
betrayed, * the City divided : Essex's army also came to nothing, 
but God remembered us in our low estate. 

August : 2 : being Wed : I was taken very ill with a quotidian 
ague ; I had 3 fitts ; the phisitian told mee I would have one harsh 
one more, but on ffriday night, seeking God for my health that if it 
pleased him I might still goe on in my calling, I was strangely 
perswaded I should have no more litts ; neither had I : Lord lett 
mee never forgett thy goodnes. 

My Towne also rather than I should goe from them, seeing 
some likely hood of the same, agreed to raise mee, for that yeare, 
10/. more, which was payd in with about perhaps 10s. losse. But 
now I layd downe my Lecture which I had kept unto y' day. 

Septemb. 20 : I joyned with M' Wharton in a day of humiliacon 
at my Lady Edens & while wee were praying, God was blessing 
our forces in that great fight neare Newbery, where the E. of Essex 
had the better agst the Kings forces. 

O' ffriends at Olny were miserably plundered at Olny : and I lay 
in peace without disturbance & my family. 

In November, Stanway men made mee a proffer of y* Seques- 
tracon ; I yielded not ; they gott it for mee, yett I did not accept of 

» Waller's Plot. 

' "After this revelation everything was possible for Pym. On the 6th he 
** made his report on Waller's Plot. Lords and Commons alike were carried 
" away by their indignation. The imposition of a vow or covenant, which a 
*• few days before had little chance of acceptance, was now voted by the Com- 
" mons with scarcely a dissentient voice. Those who took it, 'engaged them- 
" selves to support the forces raised in defence of Parliament against those raised 
" by the King ' so long as the Papists now in open war against the Parliament 
*' shall by the force of arms be protected from the justice thereof. * " (Gardiner, 
Great Civil War^ i, 149). July in the diary is apparently a mistake for June. 

' July 10, at Round way Down. 

* July 30, at Ad Walton Moor. 

* By the Hothams. 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 15 

y* same ; oh L* my desire is to serve thee in Colne if it please thee ; 
I seeke not great things, only blesse me with thy grace & mine, 
& make mee an instrum^ to doe good to y^ soules of others. 

Decemb. 29 : o' towards morning Decemb : 30 indeed, 2 houres 
before day, being Satturday morning, my wife was deliverd of her S 
son, which Jan : 14 : was baptized by the name of Thomas ;M'Tho: 
Harlakenden & my Aunt Shepheard were his witnesses ; God gave 
my deare wife strength to nurse, health both to her selfe & babe ; 
wee were scared with o' chamber chimney hearth firing but, 
espying it in time, it was prevented from any great hurt. This was 
a great mercy : so hath God kept mee upon my way, by land 
& water, prevented falls from horse, preserved mee in falling, for 
which, oh my soule, bee thankefull. 

March : 29 : keeping a day of Humiliacon at my Lady Hony- 1644. 
woods ; while wee were praying, God was making Waller victorious 
over Hopton, neare Alsford: * and turned backe the forces of Rupert 
that wee feared would have come on after they had routed o' 
forces at Newark * ; oh the sonnes of Jacob never seeke the L** in 
vayne. Going in April to Cranham I was taken ill with a cold 
which sadly afHicted mee for about 3 weekes, but God delivered 
mee, & gave mee more health, & cheerfulness & content in himselfe, 
wife, childrerf, his wayes, my people than formerly ; so that my 
earnest desire is still towards them. July : first weeke I rid forth 
to S' Tho : Hon3rwoods Regim', to Newport Pannell, Northampton, 
to the Randevow of S' Will : Waller 8c Major Browne, neare Geton 
pastures ; visited my freinds and came home safe; my wife, family, 
freinds and all in health ; many things I have omitted that may 
be found in my notes, almanack ; &c. But now henceforwards I 
shall be more exact & particular ; thus much to this p' sent day. 
Aug: 8 : 1644. Aug. 5, 

I have bought a part in a shippe : it cost me 14/. 10s. God send 
mee good speed with the same ; I have put my part in a bagge of 
hops to Sunderland ; my sister Mary is come under my roofe 
as a servant, but my respect is & shall be towards her as a sister ; 

^ Battle of Cheriton, near Alresford, March 29. 
* Relieved by Prince Rupert, March 21. 



16 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

God might have made mee a waiter upon others ; o' former mayde 
Lydia Weston having dwelt with mee 1 yeare & almost 3 qters 
marryed into our Towne, the first that marryed out of my family. 

The plague, y* arrow of death, is sadly at Colchester, brought by 
a woman that came to visitt her freinds ; their have already divers 
dyed ; what a mercy of God is it to respite our Towne ; L** spare 
it, and lett not o' sins, o*" covetousness & pride of y* poore in the 
plenty of their Dutch worke * cause thee to bee angry with us ; I 
heard from my Mother at Olny of her present health, and also of 
my sisters ; the spotted fever * is in towne with them, whereof 
divers have dyed. 

Aug. 12. God good to mee all weeke last past, in my health, in my estate, 
comforts, freinds, in my family my deare wife and babes ; merciful! 
in carrying mee on in my calling ; enabling mee for his Sabbath, 
whereon I made my last mocon (to respect of my present resolucon) 
to my parish, to bee careful to gather up my means for mee y* I 
might not want ; if they did not, though I shall not cease to love 
them, yett I must of necessity serve providence in another place ; 
L^ stirre up y' hearts to embrace this offer if y° have a will to use 
mee here, if not, I am thine, thy will be done. And now L^ I 
confesse my selfe unworthy of this goodness in many respects, 
especially my carriage towards y^ ; make mee more painfull & 
dilligent in my place, & profitable, more cheerful & contented in 
my family ; helpe mee & heele mee ; I blesse thee for delivering 
mee from grosse wickednes ; keepe me in thy pouer to salvacon. 

Aug. 26. This weeke my sister Hannah came over to mee, I sent her away 
in some hopes to helpe her about her house, & with some expres- 
sions of love ; Lord remember mee & mine & hers in mercy. Aug: 
20 : being with my men when they layd the hall floure 8c cutting 
downe the walls for the doore, an handsaw w*'^ was used agst mee, 
missed my face very narrowly ; L** make mee to prise that mercy ; 
the plague continued & increased at Colchester, our towne yett 

* Dutch refugees had settled at Colchester in the reign of Elizabeth & estab- 
lished there the trade in Bays (Baize) and Says. A specimen of the work of 
some of the Dutch weavers may be seen in Colchester Castle. 

* Typhus fever. 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 17 

in safety ; L^ keepe that distroying arrow from among us. Times 
now very sickly. Ed. Clarke my Christian freind taken sicke & 
very neare death, divers in our towne & others sickly ; L^ sanct- 
ify thy hand to them ; my wife suddenly ill, yett through mercy 
well againe ; M' Nettles of London carryed through towne in a 
coach deprived of his senses, & very mad as they reported ; 
leaping over the pales I scratchd my face, but God bee praised I 
had no further hurt though I might if providence had not preser- 
ved mee, & also in o' fall w° my wife and I pulling downe a tree 
with a rope with o' pulling all fell together, but no hurt God bee 
praised : such falls my children have many times & yett safe ; 
Mary fell out of the parlour window with her face agst the bench 
& had no hurt ; a strange providence, all y^ witt of the world could 
not have given such a fall & preserved from hurt, to God bee the 
praise. 

A dronkard came into my house ; Lord thy name be blessed in Aug. 27. 
keeping mee from y^ sin : I chid him ; he seemed apprehensive of 
what I sayd, the Lord amend him & pardon this sin to him & 
sanctify him. 

Was the publike day of humiliacon. Aug. 28. 

This weeke God was good to mee in my health, and in my Sept. 1. 

familyes, and in preserving our towne from y^ plague, in keeping 

our sicke neare y^ grave from falling into the same, in the hopes of 

raysing some up againe. Lord sanctify this hand to us all. My 

ffreinds M' Benton & his wife with us which shortned my time for 

studdy, yett God inabld mee in some measure for y® Sabbath : God 

good to mee in my course towards my family. L^ keepe us in 

perfect peace all the day long, subdue my corruptions ; my sister 

Mary received her things from Walden which wee feard had 

miscarryed ; Lord blesse mee in all my wayes, direct mee by thy 

Spirit, helpe mee agaynst vaine thoughts and imaginacons and 

preserve mee and mine ; God gave us very good newes this weeke ; 

wee heard of divers hopkills burnt downe at Captain Chipbumes, 

and Knights of Hinningham ; wee preserved from fire. Lord still 

keepe us. Wee heard the lost shippe belonging to Colchester was 

taken by the Irish rebells richly laden ; L** preserve ours in y^ 

c 



18 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

waves : — oh bee my God and of my Spouse, & our seeds after us, 
fitt mee for my calling and condicon, and blesse mee in the same. 
I heard my Cosin Abrahams sonne was dead, my Cousin Benton 
miscarryed & now through mercy up again ; L*, lett thes things 
cause mee to love y® my God, who sparest mine & dealest more 
gently with mine, & sanctify thy hand to them. 

Sept. 3. Visited a sicke man one Guy Penhacke who was much troubled 
in mind upon his life : he had strong temptacons from Sathan. 
I urged him to a Coven^ with God to bee a new man if he 
recovered. 

Sept. 4. M' Will : Harlakenden & my brother Jeremy came from y« 
army to us ; in good health preserved from so many dangers, by 
enemies & sicknesses. 

Sept. 5. Stung I was with a bee on my nose, I presently pluckt out y* 
sting, & layd on honey, so that my face swelled not ; thus divine 
providence reaches to the lowest things. Lett not sin oh Lord that 
dreadful sting bee able to poyson mee. 

Sept. 6. Liberty of the sermon at Halsted. S' Tho : Honywood gave 
mee great respect for my love in going forth with him towards the 
army ; payd my ordinary for mee. I heard y^ a child in y« towne 
was burnt almost to death, & mine safe ; oh mercy and goodness to 
bee adored. 

Sept. 8. I heard vile things of one E. C. which I should not have 
believed ; God in mercy keepe mee and mine from the like ; L** 
pardon all my sins. Sabbath & weeke day & fitt mee to doe thee 
more honour in my place. 

Sept. 9. In a breviat of Arch Bp Laudes life, I find how the strings of his 
legge brake without any stepping awry. L* how many sad wrinches 
have I had in my walking, and yett thou has preserved mee ; lett 
thy gracious protection be still over mee for good. 

This day I heard the dolefull newes of the E. of Essex his losse 
in the West, * all his ordnance & ammunicon being a prey to the 
enemy ; it was a sad providence, and speakes o** sins aloude and 
Gods continufng his displeasure in lengthening the warre ; yett oh 

* At Lostwithiel. 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 19 

my heart be encouraged in the L^, he is the same still, and the 
time of the enemyes mine is not ^ne houre thee farther of for 
this y' success, nay it may bee y' blasphemyes shall hasten y' mine 
as it did Rat)shakehs and his M". 

I rid to Colchester ; my horse stumbled, God preserved mee Sept. 14. 
from danger, God was pleased to give mee good dispatch in my 
busynes for y® towne to y* whole Committee ; * S' Tho : Honywood 
payd my ordinary for mee. I had conference with M' Ellis : he 
told mee separacon from y® true church was lawfull in some cases, 
as being not righdy constituted ; so did Luther from y® papists & 
yett y' was a true church among them. Wee from y« Lutherans, 
whom wee owne as churches, & so the Independents from us. As 
I came home I heard o' shippe was returned safe from Sunderland; 
the plague is wee hope almost stayd at Colchester. 

This weeke the L^ gratious to mee & mine in o' health, (only Sept. 15. 
my wife somew* ill,) and children much comfort. My brother 
returned to the army againe ; this was sad weeke for y« affayres of 
y« Kingdoms ; the L* can give a turne when it pleases him, and on 
him wee will wayte for y* same. 

My good ffreind M' Harlakenden sold one bagge of hops for mee Sept. 17. 
wherin I was advantaged 1/. 15s. This was Gods good providence. 

We had a collection for one Hastivile, a ffrench Baron y' Sept. 22. 
forsooke y* popish religion & all his honours for y^ Protestant 
reUgion ; I might have beene a beggar whereas I am yett a giv^r. 

Wee began this day to put the County into a posture of Sept. 24. 
defence ; it will cost mee an armes. ' 

Was a day of publique humiliacon ; it would make a man bleed Sept. 25. 
to see how regardless people are of the same, nothing moves 
them ; a load of wool was passing upon the road, our men stopt 
the same ; oh that men would give an outw^ reverence to the 
wP of the Lord. 

I rid to Wethersfeild, injoyed the company of good freinds, saw Oct. 1. 
some manuscripts of things in K. James & Charles his time of 
consequence ; I had y' a good bargaine of bookes. 

' The Committee of Defence. 
» Cf. p. 13. 



20 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

Oct. 3. I payd 45. excise for 2 bagges of hoppes ; much love in my 
freinds the Commissioners who payd my ordinary for mee. 

Oct. 6. This day I published & exhorted subscriptions for S' Will Bre- 
theton ' y* noble Cheshire Gentlemen : I cannot blesse God over 
all my people ; only indeed a few contributed ; those that did, did 
it voluntarily. 

I now gave over to gather my quarters my self e ; I left that worke 
to the Towne ; divers brought up their quarters for y' owne parti- 
culars, but I would not receive them. I doe not perceive the Towne 
intends to stirre in it ; Gods will be done, I am content. 

Oct. 7. In y* morning I went out and God gave mee more than y« day 
before I layd out in y^ publique ; I never found I lost any thing by 
imploying my selfe that way, but God sent mee in more by my 
freinds, beside y* comfort in my conscience to have done in his 
cause. I went up to Goodman Bridges & tx)ught his hops at an 
easy rate. I was used y' kindly. When I came home Stissted men 
where with mee about y' reference to M' Boroughs & my selfe, 
whether M' Archer o' M' Templer had y® clearer call to y' towne : 
I found God had gratiously kept my daughter Mary who was 
strucke with a horse. 

Oct. 9. At Halsted, M' Borough & I mett upon Stissted busynes, about 
a minister for them ; the towne was divided, & would not condis- 
cend one to another ; oh wofull, sad divisions. 

Oct. 13. Exhorted to contribucons for S*^ Will. Brereton, obtayned a litle; 
whoever I have done y* is not right in thy eyes. Lord, pardon y« 
same. 

Oct. 14. A frost & snow, very cold. I rid to Stisted to assist in y* choyse 
of y' minister ; both parts stiff e, divided, a most sad towne, no care 
almost of any thing ; I spoke to them but could not drawe it to a 
conclusion, though I hope to a good forwardness ; M' Alstone made 
a serious offer to mee of 10/. out of his owne purse, and great 
likelyhood to carry it, if I would yeald to them, but I would not ; I 
was ingaged in y* busynes & y'fore would not endeavo' any such 
thing to my selfe : y* place hath 140 acres of glebe & y* tith are 

> Sir William Brereton, a prominent parliamentary commander in Cheshire 
and its neighbourhood. 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 21 

worth, about 100/. per annum. This day M' Newlx>ld received o' 
money for S' Will : Brereton ; y« day invited & promised to assist 
in a day of humiliacon at Markeshall : 

Red. in 3 bags of hops from Goodman Bridge at 40s. y« hundred ; Oct. 17. 
y^ weight was 7 hundred & 3 qters ; goodman Burton run a share 
with mee. 

Spent part of y^ day at Goodman Clarke in settling matters Oct. 18. 
betwixt M' Harlakenden & him. At night M' Commissary gene- 
rall ^ was with us, told us my L^ Manchester was advancing towards 
y* King. Their is expectacon of a battle. 

This day 3 of my townesmen made an entrance in gathering y^ Oct. 19. 
Towne contribucon : it ought to bee at y* least 5/. every quarter, 
and yett I shall not make much above 70/. per annum. Wee 
resolved to try what y^ Parliam^ would doe for us, for the augmenta- 
con of our small living. 

This day I injoyd at dinn' y* society of M' ffarringdon ; I saw a Oct. 23. 
young rooke y* fell out of the nest in the priory yard y* day ; I 
have not knowne y^ like in all my dayes y^ they should build & 
breed at this time of the yeare. 

Heard from my deare freind M' Harlakenden from Cambridge ; Oct. 24. 
this day I begun to practice dayly in Hebrew & Greeke : God 
blesse me y'in y' y'by I may come to more perfect knowledge of 
the sense of y* Scriptures. 

A day of o' marriage entring (f 5* yeare ; God good to mee in y* Oct. 28. 
relacon, blessed bee his name for ever, my sonne well again. 

Bought 2 pigges f o' 9s. the first beasts y' ever I bought in all my Oct. 29. 
dayes hitherto. 

I heard the report of o' successe agst the Kings forces ' ; oh lett Oct. 30. 
God have the glory of o' deliverances. 

Concerning the increase of our living by the Parliam* y' was no Nov. 4. 
hope from them for the present ; all y^ was to bee done was to be 
expected from the Impropriate)', and y^ was M' Harlakenden : I 
cannot thinke he will mount higher than he hath already done. 

* i.e. of the Commissariat: vide p. 22."Mr W. Harlakenden, Commissary General 
to the Earl of Manchester. " There was also a Commissary General of Horse. 
' The second battle of Newbury : October 27. 



22 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

One old Turner, 84 y. old, dwelling in y* house with one Mark- 
ham a separatist, y* day drowned himselfe ; L* thy judgm** are 
secret and righteous. 

Nov. 9. This day I injoyed the society of my deare fiFreind M' Harlaken- 
den who came from the Committee to spend a Sabbath with us, 
and then retume ; told us of a man in Some, Camb : y^ is about 150 
yeares old who had 6 wives 32 children, and very lately carryed 2 
comes ' of pease 2 furlongs, 8 bushels a qter of a mile. 

Nov. 10. This weeke y® L* was gratious to mee & mine in o' health, 
plenty, peace, inward & outward comfort, ff reinds ; I & my wife 
were both ill in o' stomaches ; I heard our ship was come home 
safe ; more mercy yett : read an order wherby alehouses are in y* 
power of the well affected & the minister of y* parish. 

Nov. 11. Mary my daughter was preserved from hurt by the fall of a 
waynscott doore at y« priory ; thy name Lord be praised ; my 
deare £Freind M' ffs : children tooke y' leave of us ; this day I 
counted 50/. to him to improve for mee ; the Lord blesse it for 
the good of my family, he that endeavo" not their good is worse 
than an infidell. 

Nov. 15. Three of my parishioners, Rob : Cortle, John Read, Rich : Apple- 
ton, gathered up Michaelmas qter ; instead of 5/. they brought me 
3/. Os. Id ; divers refuse to pay, divers used them crossely, inso- 
much as they were much discouraged. I am beholding to them 
yett fo' y' particular love. 

Nov. 27. A day of publike humiliacon, the L^ was good to mee in the 
same ; our proposicons for peace are gone to the King. 

Nov. 28. M' W. Harlakenden, Commissary generall to the Earl of Man- 
chester was with us in good health. I was at S' J : Jacobs, he 
went backe in some part from his promise to mee, but I know no 
remedye. 

Dec. 3. M' Harlakenden went towards London, God prosper him ; heard 
sad newes of y® Earl of Manchester, ' I hope its false. 

* Coomb or comb, a measure of corn containing 4 bushels. 

• " With every sign of bitter irritation, he (i. e. Cromwell) ascribed every 
" mistake that had been committed to the personal wrong-headedness of Man- 
" Chester. " (Gardiner, Gr^/ Civil War, i. 83.) 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 23 

My Lady Honywood sent us tokens ^ shee invited mee to a day Dec. 10, 
of humiliacon, but I could not for many occasions. 

Dind at a strange vaine wedding ; a poore man gave curious Dec. 11. 
ribbands to all, gloves to y* women and to the ringers, yett their 
was very good company. 

Heard of the strange vote ' of y^ house of Commons to call home Dec. 13. 
their members. 

All this weeke God was good to mee & mine in inward & out- Dec. 15. 
ward mercyes ; in my health, in my sight ; when I began to pray 
with confidence my eyes mended. I gatherd liberally for a poore 
Ministers widow who was plunderd & housband slaine. 

This day my noble freind M' Harlakenden was made Major of Dec. 18. 
the Horse by the Country & my good freind Captaine Haynes 
Major of the foote ; y* contry did acqultt themselves very well in 
y* choice and worke of the day in my estimacon. 

I made a serious exhortacon to lay aside y^ jollity & vanity of y^ Dec. 22. 
time custome hath wedded us unto, & to keepe the Sabbath better 
which is the only L^ day we are commanded to observe. 

This day Court kept in Towne ; y* Jury of Colne Comit. chose for 1644 : 
constables 2 men very unfitt to order y® alehouses & loose people ]^^' 8. 
of y* Towne. 

The Arch Bp, y* grand enemy of the pouer of godlynes, that great Jan. 10. 
stickler for all outward pompe in the service of God, left his head 
at Touer hill London, by ordinance of parliam^ 

This day one of the butchers brought mee in a quarter of mutton, Jan. 17. 
told not who sent it but went his way. I shall inquire whose love 
it was, & be thankfull for y® same. He that gives to the poore 
lends to y* L*. I have often ol)served my liberality, or rather my 
poore mite, imployed for y® publike, or upon others indigent, hath 
retumd in with gaine and advantage. I must observe y® weeke : on 
mooneday I sent to my poore Sister 35. & some other small things 
to others not worthy* mentioning : nowy* weeke I received 9/. from 
S' John Jacob which was in part due long before, and promised but 
was not payd untill now ; divers invitacons of freinds to y^ houses: 

' SmaU gifts. 

' The Self-denying Ordinance. 



24 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

one sends me a parcel of plums & sugar, another a quarter of good 
mutton, another a fatt goose, another a capon and cheese, an 
unexpected income of a summ of mony layd out before ; God good 
to my family & nacon. 

Jan. 19. This weeke y' was divers passages of providence for the good 
of the church in disappointing the attempts and plots of the enemy 

Jan. 28. The contry mett to choose y' officers ; they waved y' former 
CoUonels & nominated M' Harlakenden Col ; M*" Haynes Major 
of Horse ; M' Cooke Col., M' Crane Lieut., Coll. Jermaine Major of 
foote, men honest and I hope faithfull ; how it will be reconciled 
with the former election I know not, but I f eare : det bona Deus. 

Jan. 30. M" C : gave me in kindnes 3s. to buy mee a satten cappe, and 
my wife. 2s. 

ffeb. 1. Received advertisem* y* M' Montjoy had payd my money to 
M' Harlakenden : I am glad it falls out so well for mee. 

ffeb. 12. Preacht at Chelmsford by desire of y* standing Committee ; dind 
with them and received thanks from them. 

ffeb. 17. This day M' Harlakenden rid with his son to Stortford School ; 
the Lord blesse him y' ; heard good newes from Plymouth, but 
very sad concerning the divisions y' are in our armyes ; Lord 
heale them for thy mercies sake, and give us one heart & spiritt. 

ffeb. 18. The regiments of y* County reduced to 2 ; * a base busines in o' 
p^ of y* County, but its likely to bee a shame to y* authors. 

ffeb. 20. Overheard a separatists sermon agst learning, a most poore 
peice. 

ffeb. 23. When I came out of y* pulpitt I read a letter from M' Harla- 
kenden wherein he writes excellent newes from Scarborough, 
taking by storme the sands. Church, 120 ships, 32 peice of ordnance 
and endangering the Castle ; the Lords name bee praised and 
magnifyed for the same ; the Treaty ' is likely to hold some time 
longer. 
March. 2. This weeke my wife aguish, but pretty chearfull ; hott within 
very much, but now using oringes, sugar & rose water coold. 

^ Troops raised by the Eastern Association had been quartered in Hampshire 
and Surrey. 
' The Treaty of Uxbridge, which came to an end at this time. 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 25 

God was good to mee in my jorney to Braintree and home March. 4. 
agayne, keeping me safe and prospering the worke wee had in 
hand, in y^ free choice and election of officers, without any consid- 
erable opposicon, although much was perfected and intended ; 
y® division consisted of 10 hundreds ; the officers were y® same 
men, and chosen into y^ same places as formerly Jan : 28 : 1644. 

My Cousin Abraham Josselin came to us from New England, March, 
about by y« Canaryes, after a sad long jorney & one tedious fight 6. 7. 8. 
with a Kings pyratt : heard by him of y* wellfare of y« plantacon 
for which God bee praised ; this summer N. E. ' had divers losses 
at sea, and scarce any before : wee rid to my Cousin Bentons ; at 
night heard newes of y^ routing of my Lord if airfax his forces, ' 
which was reported as a very great losse, endangering much 
y« North parts of England. 

This weeke I saw y® Directory, * and an Ordnance of Parliam* to March.23. 
take away y* heavy burthen of y* bpoke.of Common prayer in all 
y* parts of y* sam^ ; this day God was good to mee in y* publike 
exercise y® sacram^ of baptisme, in gatherings for divers poore : 
I made a serious mocon to all to joyne with the Magistrate in a 
civil reformacon. 

Oiu" fayre day, through mercy freer from disorder y** at some March.25. 
other times. 

March. A darke day in respect of our intelligence ; matters 1645 : 
went ill in y* west ; o' forces compelled to retreate * & somewhat March.29. 
worse was feared by Waller and Holbome ; in y* Northwest the 
enemy preserved and releived y' distressed garrisons * and by 
report fell doune towards us. 

Returned the account of y® Towne, w*'*^ amounted to 1200/. and March.31. 
upward, besides y® charge of trayne bands and associacon, which 
amounted unto 150/. at least. 

An anabaptist of our parish being pressd for a souldier, I writ April. 10. 

* New England. 
' A false report. 

' The first ordinance for the Directory was agreed to on March 5. 1645. 

* Waller had abandoned Somerset and Dorset. 

* Rupert relieved Beeston Castle, but his farther advance was checked. 



26 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

and procured his release ; Lord leame mee to doe y'" good agst y' 

reproaches towards mee. 
June. 22. My sister Mary went downe to y^ priory ; the Lord make her fitt 

for her place and give her favour in y^ sight of y™ shee serveth ; 

Jone my mayd came to us. 
May. 19. Payd 2 yeares tenth to y* Parliem* messenger, 1/. 14s. 2d, ; y* 

messenger received from me for his paynes, 3s. ; his power was 

harsh ; his carriage was yet indifiFerent curteous ; tis a tryall to bee 

thus dealt withall ; I blesse God my spirit was under, and I hope 

ever shall. 
June. 1. Y' newes was sad to us wards y^ y^ king was coming downe to 

Newarke, had faced Leicest' ; God knowes how soone wee may 

t>ee alarmed indeed. 
June. 2. ^^ home an alarme, Leicester lost. 
June. 7. An alarme to raise o' regiment of Horse ; y^ feild officers from 

home ; I was resolved to have sent orders to have raised y™, 

but y^ Coll. coming home at night I pnly assisted him in his worke 

that night 
June. I was out with o' regiment ; wee marchd to Walden, musterd, 

10. 11. 12. I sung Psalmes, prayd & spake to o' souldiers on y® Common at 

Walden & also at Halsted ; God was good to us in accommadating 

us, and preserving us ; M' Josseiin of Chelmsford brake his legge 

at Walden, his horse threw him ; o' souldiers resolute, some 

somewhat dissolute ; the CoUonel was pleased to honor mee to 

bee his Comrade ; I shall never fforgett his great love & respect. 

I rid to my sister at Walden ; I had not seen her in divers yeares ; 

the Lord hath made a difiEerence in our outward condicons ; 

I gave her & her children 6s. Lord y^ canst doe more y*^ retume it 

againe to mee. 
June. 14. At my Lady Honywoods wee agreed to meet on Tuesday to 

seeke God for o' armyes and I went to prayer ; even while wee 

were in prayer our armyes were conquering. * 
June. 17. M' Sedgwicke, M' Grey, and my selfe, kept a day of humiliacon 

at Markshall. 

* At Naseby. 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 27 

This day was I ordered by y* Committee as Constant Chaplyn June. 18. 
to attend upon Coll : Harlakenden's regiment at Masten and to 
receive lOs. per diem as a salary for the same ; this morning 
if not last night was Leicester taken ; oh y« speedy retume of 
o' prayers. 

This was a weeke of much mercy to my family ; to mee my June. 22. 
eyes better, my daughter recovered, I was designed to a place of 
service in y* army. Lord inable mee for it and make me faithfull 
and usefull in the same to y* nation i* y« great victory and the 
consequences of it, as also in smaller fights in divers parts of y^ 
kingdome ; God was good to me in y« Sabbath his name be praised, 
in y* ordinance of baptisme, I baptized after the order of y® Direct- 
ory ; I gave notice of a fast, and a day of thanksgiving. 

A day of publike humiliacon. June. 25. 

A day of thanksgiving fo*" y* great victory in Naseby feilds over June. 27. 
y* Kings army, by S' Tho : ffairfax. 

Coll : Harlakenden payd me SOs. for waiting as preacher upon Aug. 10. 
his regim^ to Walden ; this is the first mony that I received of 
y^ States ; God can this way pay in my payings out in his cause 
and service. 

This day I baptized 3 children. John Read held his own child ; Aug. 17. 
the first that I ever baptized so. 

In y^ night I heard the drummes beat at Nether Yeldham ; it Aug. 24. 
proved an alarme upon y^ Kings coming downe to Huntington. 

ffast day. I preachd once, after y* I rid to my Coll : quarters to Aug. 27. 
great Chesterford, when wee had an alarme of y^ enemyes advance 
to Cambridge, and presently of his intentions to fall upon o' owne 
quarters. 

I preached at Royston one sermon where o' quarters were for Aug. 31. 
present ; God good to us in o' march, in o' accomodacons. 

Returned home safe with o' troops : no damage to any man, one Sept. 4. 
horse shott in y^ legge through a mistake : my horse eye hurt : God 
good to mee in enabling mee for my jorney. 

This weeke God good to us in o' returnes of peace ; the enemy Sept. 7. 
fled before us and gone downe to other parts of y^ kingdome. 

Some fayling that had promised to goe along with mee, I went Sept. 9. 



28 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

alone toward Major Haynes, came safe to Cambridge, heard he 
was at Grantham or Lincolne, upon w^^ I resolved home, & so 
went to bed in Sydney CoUedge. 

Sept. 10. Having y* opportmiity of a convoy I resolved to find him out ; 
wee came safe to Huntington ; y' I refreshd my selfe with M" 
Taylor ; hearing that divers of y* Cabs rold {sic) upon y* road wee 
made ready for o' defence & marchd on ; before wee came at 
Stangate hole, Captaine Warner & divers in his company overtooke 
us ; at Stilton I mett y« welcome newes that Major Haynes at 9 of 
clocke was at Stamford ; much a doe I perswaded y™ to march that 
night to Wainsford bridge, 7 miles in y« night ; o' supper was a 
hard egge, and tough cheese, and pretty course lodging ; blessed 
be God wee had any thing. 

Sept. 11. I and 3 more in y* morning rid to Stamford 5 miles ; found y* 
Major who was riding into Grantham, very glad of my company ; 
wee quarterd at M' Wolphs, a grand malignant here; wee had good 
lodging and diett. 

Sept. 12. A day of publike humiliacon for Scotland, preachd once at 
S' Maryes Stamford. 

Sept. 13. Continued at Stamford. Heard the good newes of Bristol. 
Saw y® sad face of Burleigh house ; a litle surfetted with eating 
grapes. 

Sept. 14. Lords day : continued at Stamford ; preachd 2 sermons ; very 
ill with my cold ; one hurt with his own pistoll upon y* 
guard. 

Sept. 15. An alarme y* y« enemy with Horse was entring o' quarters, y* 
guard sayd they discryed a great body of y". Y® Major had a fall ; 
God preserved him ; it proved false & was soone quieted. 

Sept. 16. Wee marched through Rutlandshire a pleas* htle County to 
Bilsden in Leicestershire. Coll. Rossiter with 4 troopes of horse 
came up to us; wee quarterd y* night at Houghton at a poore house ; 
pittiful blacke bread ; I gott a white loaf e crust ; o' lodging was 
upon straw & a quilt, in o' clothes ; I slept well I blesse my God ; 
heard y* Montrose was entred England. 

Sept. 17. Marchd out with a short breakfast ; randevoud at Leicester, 
where Coll. Rossiters troopes marchd from us ; beheld y® mines of 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 29 

a brave house, * sometimes y* Earle of Devonshire's ; nothing 
standing but y® stone works ; from hence wee marchd towards 
Ashby ; refreshd o' selves upon ye way, but o' meat smelt ; I 
pocketted 2 white loafes agst y* worst. 

Quarterd at Ibstocke, Lauds living, now D' Lovedyns, a great Sept. 18. 
Cavalier ; o' diett very good, and lodging indifferent. 

Marchd in y* head of two troopes to Rounston in Derbyshire, Sept. 19. 
thence to Ashby, much infected with y* plague ; wee faced y* 
house ; I prayd with y® Councell of Warre ; wee summond y® 
house ; we drew off about night : lost 2 men : one shott in 
y® breeches & yett had no hurt ; killed one of y* Cavaliers : heard 
y* newes of routing Montrose, Sept. 13. : y® next day to y* ffast : 
here I eate some of my bread ; wee had no beere all day long : 
marchd backe to Ibstocke : rid in a pretty while before o' troops ; 
6 men in toune they said of Leichfeld ; it scard our men and 
made them ready to run. I was in y* house & heard nothing. 
I have cause for ever to praise God for the mercyes of this day ; 
one of y^ men was slaine on the ground where I had stood closely 
a litle before, not knowing of the perdue in the ditch, who shott 
y« man presently after. 

Marchd through Leicester ; saw y® mines of some part of y* Sept. 19. 
towne ; so to Roulston, quarterd y' ; o' usage good. 

Randevoud at Shemington. 3 troopes marchd off with Rossiter Sept. 20. 
to Grantham, and the other 5 came safe through providence to 
Stamford. 

Preached 2 sermons at Stamford ; God good to mee in y« same. Sept. 21. 
I hope not without good to y* people : wee spoyle one of y® Church 
ff easts y* day ; people are still for y' old wayes. 

Left y* Major and came safe to Cambridge ; suppd with y« Sept. 22. 
Comittee ; angerd y™ at Huntington. 

Returned safe to Colne to my deare wife & freinds, my place Sept. 23. 
supplyed in my absence I praise God : 

Publique ffast ; preachd once. Sept. 24. 

^ Leicester Abbey. It had been the headquarters of the King from May 30 to 
June 2y but was demolished by his troops, probably to prevent its being useful to 
the enemy. 



30 RALPH JOSSELIN^S DIARY 

Oct. 10. Y° County newes about presbytery, * and y® alarme of the Kings 

coming with 2000 horse to Newarke. 
Oct. 12. Wee gathered for poore Taunton, wherin God was good to mee 

in opening my mouth and opening my peoples hearts ; wee gather- 
ed 8/. 4s. 4ti., beyond any presidents ' about us. 
Oct. 14. Reported the plague is at Kelvedon. M' Sawyer chose burgesse 

of Colchester, an unworthy act but suitable to the men. 
Oct. 16. Came the wellcome newes of y® taking of Basing ; its to be 

razed ; of a truth many habitacons are layd waste. 
Oct. 18. Heard the newes of Majbr Haynes his routing 300 of y* enemies 

horse and taking an 150 of them ; Lord prosper that man ; my 

mayde went away ; send mee one L* that feareth thy name. 
Oct. 21. Rid to Chelmsford, motiond my busynes with M' Archer to 

Col. Cooke. 
Oct. 23. Finished o' busynes: Earl of Warwicke payd my ordinary 2s. 6d : 

in so great a meeting not an oath sworne. 
Oct. 24. L : Coll : Grimes with us ; God preserved him hitherto from 

many dangers, not to loose one drop of blood, no wound, but dry 

ones, great blows & bruises. 
Oct. 27. This day in y« feilds I found a bucke ; M' R. H. was with mee, 

with his greyhounds ; after much sport wee kild her in y^ river ; 

this was an unexpected providence. 
Oct. 31. Two of Thaxted were with mee early about accepting their 

place; I gave them an answer of my unfitnes, advised them to con- 
sider how to make the place comfortable for a minister. 
Nov. 2. In the Sabbath made a mocon to the Towne, now to settle my 

meanes, or else to leave mee to my due liberty ; my sonne troubled 

with bleach, but very jocund. 
Nov. 5. My townesmen made some beginnings to better my meanes. 
Nov. 6. 7. Thaxted men came not ; a good providence, for my townesmen 

had not yet settled their busynes. 
Nov. 10. My good ffreind M' Harlakenden perplexed about his shrival- 

tey, an offer of an under sheriffe unto him ; M' Crane with him 

about it. 

^ vide Gardiner's Great Civil War, iii. 6, 7. 
' Precedents. 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 31 

Heard of y« retume of M' Harl : swome high sheri£Fe for Nov. 29. 
Essex. 

Major Haynes wee heard was coming home with his men : 1645 : 

Heard of Major Haynes his returne into y® County. Jan. 6. 

Received 6 weekes pay of the Major as his chaplayne ; it was Jan. 10. 
a good providence of God towards mee to supply all other wants. 

Decemb. 8. at night, on Monday, new moone, it began to frize, Long & 
and so continued exceeding violent ; y* ice of wonderfuU thicknes, Hard 
after a months time it thawed, a little, and raynd, but continued "^*- 
to frize untill Jan : 28 : it begun to thawe, & raynd ; y« frost 
wonderfully in the ground, and the ice of wonderfull thicknes ; 
nigh half a yard in some places ; a quarter of an ell at least in my 
pond : by reason of thawes it was wonderfuU glancy : the thawe 
was as earnest as y^ frost : admirable in its kind ; y® frost & ice was 
sooner out of y* ground then expected. 

Wheras a supply of bookes is necessary for me, & my meanes Jan. 30. 
but small to purchase them, I haue layd downe a resolucon, to 
buy but few, and those of choise & special concernm^, and to allott 
towards the same a moity of all those moneyes, that providence 
doth by guift or otherwise unexpectly & freely supply mee withall ; 
and to purchase them at the second hand, out of libraries that 
are to be sold. 

This day I resolved upon & entred agayne upon the practice ff eb. 4. 
of Hebrew ; I find it so usefull that I resolve to spend a good 
part of my time therin, and the Lord blesse and prosper my 
endeavo" y'in. 

Rid to Wormingford; kindly entertayned by my Lady Waldgrave. ffeb. 16. 
17. bought M' Pilgrims library for 16/. 18 : brought it to Colne 
a very rayny afternoone ; the bookes had no hurt, unloaded y*". 
die. 19. 

Lent M' W : Harlakenden. 30/. ; God hath shined upon mee & ffeb. 24. 
increased us somewhat in the midst of all thes difficult times. 

Since the last fast God hath beene gratious to our forces at ffeb. 25. 
Chester, in y« West at Torrington ; and though many in South 
Wales, especially in Glamorganshire, have revolted, the Lord is 
able to turne it to y« best. 



32 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

March. 5. A day of P. thanksgiving for Chester, and y« victory at Tor- 
rington, God good to mee in y® same. 

March. 6. 1645 : carryed 4. qters of barly w^*» I bought of M' Litle at 
18s. per qter to Goodman Potter to malt for mee. 
1646 : Heard of y® route of y« L^ Ashley, thus Gods enemies fall 

March. 25. everywhere. 

April. 16. Kept a P. day of thanks, for o' western successes & over S' Jacob 
Ashly * : wherin the lord was good to mee, as also in breaking up 
a match of wrestling in the Towne, wherat were gathered nigh 
500 people ; Exeter was now in the catalogue of o' mercies. 

April. 19. I mett Lieu* Coll. Grimes, who received an 100/. guift from y® 
Parliam* for the newes of Exeter which he brought to the houses. 
Rosebuds. Wee had damaske rose buds in o' garden before the middle of 
April this yeare 1646. 
May. 8. Good society at the Priory ; M' Harlakenden returned safe from 
London & his company ; newes that the king in a disguise was 
gone from Oxford: sic transit gloria mundi : a report that their was a 
chardge drawne up against him about the death of King James : its 
reported when he was dressing of him the Duke of Richmond 
asked him what he meant, what he intended to do, & whither to 
goe ; he told him he must goe, but whither he must not tell him. 
But I goe, sayd he, to my freinds and thine ; whereupon some 
supposed he intended the Scots army & Contry, but I imagine 
he intends either to lye hid somewhere or els for Ireland, which 
is most probable. 
May. 8. At my Lady Honjnvoods : heard of y* sad end of one Rust, who 
drowned him self e ; my preservacon is of God ; of a monster borne 
about Colchester, first a child, y** a serpent, y° a toad which 
lapped. The King found in the Scots army ; Lord preserve the 
kingdomes in union. 

May. 19. P. Day of thankes. 

May. 20. This day I had in my garden a full ripe & blowne damaske rose : 
May : 17 : the L*** day before, my wife had a fayre bud : I conceived 
it argued a very early spring. 

» Defeated at Stow-in-the-Wold. 



RALPH JOSSELIN^S DIARY 33 

Day of Humiliacon. May. 29. 

My last quarter was now brought in & that fully by M' EUiston May. 31. 
& M' high sheriff e. 

Gatherd nigh 40s. for poore Leicester. June. 21. 

This day I held against Oates the Anabaptist, morning & after- June. 29; 
noon, argum* that they had no ministry, and y* particular Christians 
out of office had no power to send ministers out to preach ; he 
confessd it, and held only to doe what he did as a disciple ; I 
shewed him it was contrary to Scripture ; our discourse was without 
passion ; the man boldly continued in Towne till Wednesday, exer- 
cising all three dayes. 

A motion made to buy the widow Bentals land. July. 18. 

M' Harlakenden & I went up to the widdow Bentals, to view the July. 20. 
land, which was hers by inheritance ; John Kent her father had an 
estate in it for life, if redeemed, but at present, it was in mortgage 
for 150/. to two of Coggeshall ; her father promised to joyne in the 
sale ; shee asked me, 220/. as shee had been bidden, and I bid her 
her price within 31. and parted till next day. 

Wee mett againe, I gave the widdow her price ; her father and July. 21. 
shee surrendered it to mee, whereupon wee tore a bond of 300/. 
that Kent had given not to trouble the widdow nor her heyres in 
the estate ; so I came home very well satisfyed : but going up to 
John Read, he holds the surrend' was good for nothing, because 
the morgagors stand for present possest of the land ; this perplexed, 
especially because of Kents bond that was rent, wherupon I went 
up againe to them and giving them bond for their money they 
entred both into 300/. bond to strengthen y' act, with any further 
surrender at the next Court ; this wee feard Kent would not have 
done, but by providence he was willing. 

I rid to Colchester to advise with my Cosin Josselin the steward, July. 22. 
who advised mee to press the morgagors to surrender to mee, or 
Kent & Bentalls act was good for nothing ; wherupon I rid to 
Cogshall, and spoke with them & found them very willing to doe 
any reasonable demand, wherupon I sent to the steward who came 
over unto us. 

This day, & kept Court : Coxe Gray surrendered the land to mee, July. 23. 

D 




34 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

paying them in their money, which I had all of M' Harlakenden, 

to whom againe I surrendered the land for his security. 
July. 24. I lett my farme for 3 yeares to Brewer old Spooners sonne in 

lawe, without wood to dischardge Lords rent, tith, and pay mee 

12/. 5s. per annum : I am to get it in repayre and he is to keepe 

the same. 
July. 25. I put of ' the fallow to my tenant for 13s. 4rf. rent, and 10s. 

plowing ; the rent I promise him, when he leaves it againe. 
Aug. 4. Rid towards Chelmsford with M' high sherifiEe a great trayne of 

gentlemen, & about 30 liveries ; he dined us all at his owne cost ; 

I procured a chamber & entertainm^ for the Ministers ; I lay well 

accomodated at my Cosin Rogers to God be praise. 
Aug. 5. Preached the assize sermon before Judge Bacon, & Seargeant 

Turner Judges of Assize on Rom : 12 : 3. 4 : wherin God was good 

to mee, for voyce, and memory, and spirit. I dined with the judges 

who used mee with respect. 
Aug. 8. I stayed all the assize time as chaplayne to M*^ high sheriffe 

waiting on him at his board to say grace ; he used me very lovingly 

& kindly. 
Aug. 13. My Cosen Josselins opinion was I had a right to Josephs land. 
Aug. 16. Heard of the peace betwixt the Rebells, and the Kings party in 

Ireland. Lord helpe, for designes are layd to enthrall us againe, 

& againe. 
Aug. 28. A comission sat in y® contry for charitable uses to inquire into lands 

disposed or moneyes for such end, and had not beene performed. 
Aug. 31. This Monday my wife & I rod to Havingfeild : I from thence, 

Sep : 1 : to Cranham ; found my uncles well, & fayre respect in 

the busines of my uncle Josephs land. 
Sept. 6. The plague increaseth & devoureth at London, y® Lord in mercy 

asswage the same. 
Sept. 7. Rid to Colchester, God good to mee, going & returning; my Cosin 

Josselin told mee my cause in the busines of Josephs land was good, 

& he wished mee to proceed therin. 
Sept. 8. Sent by M*" Toby Cressener letters to both my Uncles, the exe- 

» Ut. 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 35 

cuto'" of my grandfathers will to acquaint them with my clayme & 
intent to stand by my title unto the land : bought some of M' Tur- 
ners litle pasture with money M" M. Church gave mee, whom God 
stirred up to bee a faithfull, loving & constant freind to us : the 
plague very much in London, and sicknesses in y® contry. 

A merveylous wett season, winter coming on very early ; a great Sept. IS. 
hop yeare : wheat this yeare was exceedingly smitten & dwindled 
& lanke, especially on strong groimds ; all manner of nieates 
excessive deare, beefe at cheapest 2^d. per lb, butter & cheese 
very deere & yett it was a very rich grasse yeare. 

On Monday Septemb. 14 : 1646 the noble Earle of Essex died : Essexs 
his death is a great weakening to the Peerage of England. death. 

A Publike thankesgiving. Sept. 22. 

This day was a day of much mercy ; some freinds fayling mee, Sept 23. 
I was supplyed with an horse for my jorney, & M' Jeflery Little 
rod with me : this day was exceeding pleasant, the like not in 
divers weekes before ; I had like with a packe horse to have been 
beaten into a deepe loome pitt but God preserved mee ; I rod safe 
& returned safe, praise to the Lord that kept mee. I found my 
imcle Simon at home, I made a demand of the land before three 
witnesses, w*** is in y® box with my writings of Mallories ; my uncle 
seemed perswaded & convinced of my right, & to deliv' up y® land 
to mee w*^out any suite or trouble ; when I came home I was very 
ill, I had a great inclinacon to vomitt, which through mercy I did 
& brought some water off my stomacke ; upon w*''* I was well, 
went to bed & rested comfortably to y* L* bee praise. 

M' Lorkyn with mee for his certificate of his qualificacon for a Sept. 26. 
minister : to whom I gave my hand : I nev*^ gave my hand to any 
other but only M' Cane as yett to my best remembrance : & herin 
desire of God caution & warynes. 

I received a letter from my uncles ; the Lord direct my spirit Sept. 27. 
what to doe ; I made a motion to my people, that y® yeare being 
out, if they continued y** contribucon & made it good 80/. a yeare 
I would continue with them God willing ; if not I must cheerfully 
serve the providence of God : & so I doe resolve by Gods grace. 
Heard of y® tumults at Halsted, great disorders. 



36 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

Sept. 28. Writt to my Uncles to meete at Chelmsford Octob : 8. with either 
of us a freind to make a finall end & conclusion in our busines if 
possible. 
Oct. 1. Dind at M' Braclyes : my wife went with mee ; M' Ludgater 
brought mee this day my money ; I payd the widdow, now Pen- 
hackes wife, all y* I ought her, so that now all my debts are come 
into M' Harlakendens hands. 
Oct. 8. Rid to Chelmsford ; y' by 9 of y* clocke and very dry, and so 
also homewards, though very much raine fell y* day, and before us 
on the road ; my uncles mett, not only Simon ; wee resolved to goe 
over to Josephs execut". M' Grimston kind in giving mee advice 
in my case ; some hopes to get an augmentacon for our living out 
of ffeering Berry being an impropriacon of y* Bp" of Londons, 
whose estate is now sequestrated. 

Oct. 11. This weeke the weather continued very wett and sad in respect 
of y* season, litle rye & mislen * or wheat sowne. 

This weeke I drew up a peticon for augmentacon of o' meanes ; 
it was presented to M' Grimston, who promiseth all fayre respect ; 
y» was Octob. 9 & 10. 
Oct. 14. 15. Rod to my Uncle Hudsons ; God gratious in his providence 
towards mee, in providing me with horse, fayre season, out & 
home, in finding my way, preserving mee safe in my jorney. My 
Uncle Simon mett not, my other Uncles are very confident they 
shall injoy the estate, which if they justly doe I am content ; wee 
agreed that our Counsell should discourse in the businesse. 
Oct. 20. 21. M"^ Harlakenden kept his Courts: they were payring Courts, 
men coming in with their wives to take up houses ; most poore 
people ; one man pm-^hased a house to him & his wife, and 
y"^ heyres, & for want of such heyres to the heyres of the survivor. 
Wee chose two honest men for our constables Edw. Clarke & 
Christopher Mathew. 

Oct. 23. Payd M' Harlakenden 50/. I borrowed of him. 

Oct. 24. Received a letter from M' Harrington that my money was ready 
and that I should have it when I sent for it, for w*''^ I blesse God ; 

^ Mixed corn, e. g. wheat and rye. 



RALPH JOSSELIN^S DIARY 37 

at night I heard by Major Haynes that our shippe wherin my part 
was about 18/. was cast away, three men drowned, but the 
merchants saved their goods ; this was the first froune upon my 
estate from my first being of age ; the M' of the shippe oweth mee 
about 6/. for hoppes, which I duobt will come in heavily. 

A wonderful! sad wett season, much come in many places 
abroad, rotted & spoyled in y® fields, grass exceedingly trodden 
under foote & spoyled by cattle through the wett which hath 
continued almost since the Assizes ; worke very dead, woolle risen 
to 16d, in the pound & upwards, butter and cheese, and meate 
very deare, and come rising : litle come sowne, and a very sad 
season still continued ; great divisions & feares of our utter ruine 
in y« kingdome. 

M' Sayer writte us word that an augmentacon was conferred Oct. 31. 
upon mee out of the impropriacon of fifeering ; if it prove effect- 
uall, it will ease mee of much care & enable mee more closely for 
my studdyes. 

This weeke the wettnes of the season continued with litle or no Nov. 1. 
intermission & so it hath continued for above two months. 

Heard my 50/. per annum was likely to come to nothing ; Gods Nov. 8. 
will be done. 

A frost, and pleasant day, at night I was subpenad into the Nov. 12. 
Chancery by my Uncle Hudson, & Ri : Josselin : it was in the 
businesse of Josephs land. 

This day I went to Stansted hall and received 8/. S' John Jacob Nov. 18. 
ought mee ; I feare I had 6d. to much which I intend to restore to 
him ; injoy much love and good society at M' Litles. 

This day was y® P. flast ; it was wett in y® morning so wee went Nov. 25. 
not to Church untill eleven and I continued preaching untill sim 
was sett, wherin I found God exceeding good to mee ; the sad 
wett season still continued : Some sewd mislain Novemb 23. 
et 24 : I shall observe how so late sowne rye prospers ; it was on 
lusty lands. 

M*^ Harlakenden came from London ; he received 56/. for me of Nov. 27. 
M' Harrington ; I made it up, threescore and twelve pounds to- 
wards the paym^ of the hundred pounds I borrowed of him. 



38 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

He and S' Tho : Honywood joyntly obtained an order to 
receive the bishops rents out of the impropriacon of ffeering 10/. 
or 12 : out of Wittam 12/. out of Wethersfeild 15/. out of great 
Dunmowe 36/, and to divide it betwixt the two townes of Earles 
Colne, and Markshall. 

Nov. 29. God good to mee in society of divers honest neighbours at 
Gdman Mathewes, where speaking concerning our intermission of 
the Lords Supper, I told them, that perhaps some feared offending 
people in point of my maintenance ; they would deny mee my 
stipend, I told them for my part, loving his ordinance, and to 
pursue the injoying of it by scripture rules, I would willingly trust 
God with my meanes and would not have them intermitt for that : 
and this I may doe & trust God who in his way will provide. 

Nov. 30. fhnding y® exceeding misse of Hebrew, (whereof, although, 
I have a little smattering) yett I begun this day to assume my 
dayly studdy y'of, which I intend God willing to prosecute, and 
not give over if the Lord give mee life, untill I have obtained 
some indifferent skill y'of ; oh my folly to forgett my schoole 
entrance, and to neglect this studdy at Cambridge & with no more 
dilligence to pursue it since ; 

Dec. 6. I went on in my endeavors in the Hebrew, & made good 
progress therin, blessed bee my God ; things are duobtfull for the 
Scots and us, but Ormond in Ireland playd deceitfully. 

Dec. 9. M' high sheriife with me ; I drew a peticon for him to y* L** 
to take of his burthen ; he was much afrayd it would continue 
another yeare. I ventured with him it would be passed in botli 
Houses, a sheriife for Essex, before Christmas, or I was to give 
him 5s. for two bokes, which if, * I was to have them for nothing. 
M' W™ Harlakenden went towards London ; I gave him 5s. to buy 
me two Hebrew Grammers ; his cheife occasion was about the 
sheriffes businesse. 

Dec. 11. M' W" Harlakenden made a speedy, and safe returne from 
London ; our high sheriff e likely to bee of, y*" being another passed 
by both Houses ; I received my two bookes from him ; I am glad 

' i.e. If a new sheriff were chosen. 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 39 

he is so neare an end of his troubles, & care in that office ; the 
goldsmith of Chelmsford kild and robd upon y^ road, as he 
returnd from Braintree markett by three troopers ; its Gods mercy 
and goodnes that preserves mee, my house, and that I injoy 
in safety. 

M** Harlakenden received his dischardge from his shrivaltry, one Dec. 21. 
M' Pyott being swome in his roome for next yeare ; I hope ere 
long he will act as Justice for the good of towne & contry. 

On Tuesday. 22 : I saw an order wherin the rents of 12/. per Dec. 23. 
annimi out of fiFeering: 12/. out of Witham: 15/. out of Wethersfeild 
& 36/. out of Dunmow, in all 75/. was allowed toward the augment- 
aeon of my meanes, and y® Ministers of Markshall equally which is 
37/. 10s. yearly, and this the sequestrators are to pay at the due time. 

Monthly fast. I preachd but once ; heard the King was slipt into Dec. 30. 
Holland, but I hope its not true. 

This day I went downe to the Pryory to M' Harlakenden & fuUy Dec. 31. 
dischardged my morgage, & made even with him ; I gave him a 
bill of my hand for tenne pounds, & then when his fine is payd, I 
am in a good forwardnes out of debt. 

This day wee begun to digge a well, which I let to ffossett at 9d. Jan. 7. 
per foote : Well. 

About M' ffaulconers businesse : 

I distinctly remember that M' ff aulconer sold to Goodman Taller 
of Aldham a portion of tithes, which he had in lease from S' Robert 
Quarles, which anciently did belong to the priory ; he was to 
receive 10/. presently, and 10/. att the making of the deed, or 
setting over his right, as Councell should advise, & that within a 
short time. 

Now wheras M' ffaulconer saith that M' Harlakenden was to 
assist him so that he might receive something from S' Robert 
Quarles heire, I remember no such agreem^ in my presence, but 
this I remember, that M' ffaulconer, giving in bond to redehver 
the deeds to Goodman Taller, was to have the use of them if he 
could therby make any advantage agst the heyre of Quarles : 

And wheras M'^ ffaulconer saith he was to make neither bond or 
promise, I remember no such condicon agreed unto : only thus 



40 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

much that he was only to set over his owne right, and to bee at no 
further charge. 

Jan. 18. Went down to Gaines Colne, present at giving possession of 
land ; the manner thereof : Any one cutts up a clod & sticke, & 
stickes it in y® clod ; the man that is in possession remains alone in 
the ground ; he to whom he delivers possession enters to him to 
whom he delivers the clod & so possession of the whole according 
to agreement ; then he comes forth & leaveth the other in posses- 
sion who then presently comes out. 

Jan. 29. I am now preparing for London to answer the suites of my 
Uncles about Josephs land ; my resolucon is this (by Gods grace) 
to repaire to learned Councell, & if they say the right is mine, to 
endeavo' an arbitracon, and make an end of the controversie 
peaceably if possible, and to stand to the end of the arbitrato'* 
whoever ; if I have no right I will no way molest or trouble, but 
endeavo' that those that have right may injoy it. 

ff eb. 2. Rid safe to London, well entertained at M' Cresseners, but very 
weary of my jorney ; I spake with both the seargeants in our 
suites ; gave seargeant Turner a peice for his advice in both my 
causes ; he declared to mee the way of my Cousin Josselin's 
opinion, the issue I leave to providence. 

ffeb. 3. Went downe to Westminster, spake with both y* seargeants, 
concluded a meeting to end our businesse, March. 3. at London ; 
bought a few toyes, payd my tenths to Abbott, retumd safe, to 
Cranham, praised bee God, but very weary & sore ; the wind blew 
hard in my face. 

ffeb. 4. Came home safe, to God bee praise, and received a penny at my 
owne doore as a poore man, being unknowne to all mine. 

ffeb. 6. Newcastle ours, the King with our Commissioners, & the Scots 
going out of the Kingdome ; hope of good agreem^ 

ffeb. 21. This weeke heard y* King came die 16. to Homeby with our 
Commissioners. 

ffeb. 27. Received notice by letter to bee at London March 11. to end 
our suite, all parties willing ; I intend God willing to bee their, 
although it is y® day after the fast. 

ffeb. 28. Cromwell called home from y® army to attend y* affayres of y® 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 41 

house according to the ordinance upon which y^ new Modell was 
raised : reported so but not true. 

This day heard that S' Tho : if airf ax his army was come to March. 6. 
quarter in our parts of the kingdome ; the Lord in mercy turne it 
unto good ; some of the generalls owne regiment att Halsted. 

Rid to London safe, mett my uncle Simon, went downe to March.ll. 
Sargeant Turners ; he could not attend to end our businesse ; 
went downe to Westminster ; wee delivered two peticons to y^ 
L*>" & Commons to remove the souldiers out of the County ; the 
Lords gave us thanks for our good affection, and promised to take 
it into consideracon ; went to M' Kequiches : found his sister 
M" Elizabeth King sicke of the small poxe, but in good hopes of 
her life : as returned into London, I mett my uncle Ri : and 
Hudson ; wee went togither, lay togither, and that night & next 
morning, wee concluded our business, I to injoy the land, and to 
pay to them an 100/. ; came safe to Cranham. 

Came safe praised bee God to Colne ; no souldiers with us yett, March. 13. 
blessed bee the name of God ; found all mine well, and Mary rid 
of her ague, to God alone bee glory and praise ; my charges 
besides jorneyes came to 1/. 10s. & no more ; the Lord bee praised 
for this comfortable, contentf ull end, the Lord blesse them & theirs 
with y® mony, & mee & mine with the lands. 

This yeare I begun in a visitt of the Generall his Excellency 1647 : 
S' Tho : ffairfax, at my lady Veeres in Hinningham, where I had March.26. 
the hono'^ and favo' to discourse with him, and dine with him ; he 
is a man thankef ull for respects, and yett casts away hono' from 
himself ; wee rid outwards on his way with him, tooke o' leaves, 
and returnd in safety praise bee unto God : 

C constant loving freind M" Mary gave my wife a gold ring, 
and my selfe a silver tooth and eare picke, as a remembrance 
of her love ; my dearest wife would needs also bee so bounteous 
as to give mee a silver scale, to use and not loose for her sake. 

Above 60 of Major Desboroughs troope quartered with us one April. 5. 
night ; I was free through providence ; by them heard the gentle- 
men sent up about the peticon, ^ y^ caused the declaracon of both 

* Vide Gardiner, Great Civil War^ iil, 254, etc. 



42 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

Houses, were retumd ; the matter quiett ; that all officers in com- 
mission were shortly to meete att Walden ; the Lord in mercy 
direct affaires for the best, and prevent our jealousies : the souldiers 
are civill ; divers of them cast out evill words, agst presbyterians, 
and ministers, particularly. L. E.;(«c) the presbyterians are so bitter, 
he did not desire but to quarter with some honest Independent. 

April. 6. Captain Laurence, a very faire civil gentleman, with some part of 
his troope, came and quartered among us. 

April. 28. P. Day of hiuniliacon. 

April. 30. This day rid to BoUinghatch ; all my uncles met, and gave mee 
free & peaceable possession of those parcels of land given to 
Joseph ; I payd the executors of Joseph 20/, gave them bond 
for 80/, received 7/. 16s of the mony of my uncle Simon for rent 
due : God good in his providence towards us, outwards, and 
homewards ; this land part of our antient inheritance ; now I have 
about 20/. per annum in land, besides my wives land, and my 
stocke, but I owe in all about one hundred pounds. 

May. 4. Souldiers removed y' quarters from us. 

May. 9. This weeke gave us some hopes of blowing over the discontents 
of the army, and hopes of accord through the meanes of Skippon 
entertaining the command of Ireland, & the houses yeelding to the 
souldiers in divers particulars. 

May. 12. This day I received in 50s. quarteridge * from the towne, a 
greater summ then I had received in divers weekes before. 

May. 17. Heard high language of y® souldiers intencons & resolucons, 
though I scarce may creditt they should be so bold. Reports of 
souldiers foote, abusing of women ; they are now coming towards 
us ; y« Lord be ou' guard & protection from y' violence & insolency. 
I had some rugged wordes from one of them, a Lieuten^, about 
quartering, wherby I perceive hnw unable poore men are to 
containe y' spirits, if ever they are in imployment. 

May. 23. This spring was forward ; yett all things continued excessive 
deare ; if grass had not come on, our wants would have beene very 
great ; wee had plenty of roses ; stilled some May. 22. 

^ He should have received £3. 15, o, one fourth of the ;£ 15, the sum due to 
him yearly. 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 43 

My towne full of foote souldiers but very quiett & orderly, with- May. 30. 
out any disturbance from them hitherto. 

Payd M*^ H : his iine, 8/. for my land ; he used mee reasonably, May. 31. 
and lovingly. 

160 souldiers came to quarter in o' towne ; they should have June. 1. 
marched & disbanded this day, but they refused, fell into dis- 
tempers, & marcht towards y' generall ; the Lord in mercy give a 
good issue unto things : the souldiers marchd from us, June. 2, 
quietly, but afterwards they were a greater burthen where they 
became ; it was a providence of God towards us, the lord doe us 
good by y® same ; y® reports of the souldiers distempers continued, 
and y'' words very high ; wee are still in the hands of God, and his 
purposes shall and must stand. 

This weeke y' is a sad turne and change on the face of the June. 6. 
kingdome ; what God will doe wee knowe not, the counsell of 
Jehovah shall stand ; the poore ministers are in straites on all 
hands, but the name of the Lord, is a tower unto his. 

Spent much time & tooke especiall care to drawe up a faire June. 13. 
peticon to y® house that they would have a speciall respect to our 
safety & y® content of y^ army, & this wee did as farre as possible 
w^out passionate overswaying affection to either part ; & this we 
rather did to prevent the subscribing divers heady peticons that 
went up & downe y« contry tending to disturbance. 

Wee endeavourd a faire peticon to the house ; it was generally June. 20. 
resented in the house ; I hope it will prevent higher ones in the 
County from taking place. 

O gentlemen went towards London with our peticon ; the Lord Jiily. 1. 
prosper and succeed them in the worke and undertaking, and give 
them favo' in the eye of our Magistrate. Mett at M' Owens for 
conference ; y® peticon was well accepted, and thankes returned. 

The charge agst the 11 members was this day delivered into y* July. 6. 
House of Commons. * 

Thomas Prentice married ; I preachd and married them in a July. 8. 
method that gave great content to honest people ; Tho : ffrends 
offerd freely ; he tooke about 56 pounds. 

^ vide Gardiner, Great Civil War^ iii, 2(^^. 



44 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

July. 26. This day the parliam^ was forced by the Londoners in the matter 
of their militia ; the busines was plotted, and brake out on this 
occasion ; as some report, its like to be the rise of troubles to us ; 
the King endeavourd to make escape from the army and joyne 
with the Londoners. 

July. 27. House of Commons adjourned untill 29. 

July. 29. This day the most of the Lords & members being withdrawn, 
the members that continued mett, chose a new Speaker one Pelham, 
voted themselves a parliam^; Massey was chosen to command the 
city forces, Skippen resigning. 

Y^ army marching up towards London to redresse tumults, the 
City makes great preparacons to defend themselves, and impute y^ 
combustions to y* army, medling with y* militia, w®^ they told them 
would raze y® foundacons and cause tumults. 

July. 31. 2 Troopes of Dragoones were sent by the Generall to surprise 
the blocke house at Tilbury in Essex to command the Thames, 
which was effected. 

Aug. 5. Sett apart to seeke God in regai'd of the straites and difficulties 
by reason of y® London tumults ; wee mett at Coggeshall, and y' y* 
newes mett us of a preparative accord betwixt y* City & army & 
much good newes concerning y® same, y* L* answering our prayers 
while the thought was in our heart ; y* day was very comfortable. 
8 ministers prayed & in y« midle one preacht ; God was very good 
to us his name have y® praise of all. 
Aug. 8. This weeke y* Lord began to blowe over our feares of a new 
warre ; the citye was in division & not as one man for a new warre, 
blessed bee God ; and that made way, especially by the meanes of 
South-warke complying with the army, for an accord, which, in my 
apprehension, was one of the greatest acts of the army, performed 

July. 27. on so great a city ; a pretended parliament sitting to encourage 
them what was in their power, and that from Tuesday when 
they had the first notice y'of, by Wednesday sennight following, 
in nine dayes the army entring Southwarke Aug. 4, and y® 
accorde made that night with London, the army being scattered, 
the head quarters at Bedford, some souldiers in Suffolke, others 
100^ miles and more from London ; they say in their declaracon 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 45 

some were gone from them 200 miles ; this was wonderful! in 
o' eyes. 

Times of great sicknes and illnes, agues abounding more then Aug. IS. 
in all my remembrance, last yeare and this also ; feavers spotted 
rise in the contry ; whether it arise from a distempered and 
infected aire I know not, but fruite rottes on y« trees as last yeare 
though more, and many cattle die of y* murraine, this portends 
something. 

A fayre day ; land is through mercy in a good case, and the seed Aug. 16. 
time good ; the Lord send us plenty : all provisions are excessive 
deare & scarce to be gotten for our money. 

The Lord good in the season which was very faire, and as fitt a Sept. 26. 
good time as ever came ; things are at that rate as never was in 
our dayes, wheat 8s. malt 4s. beefe. 3d. * butter 6d, ob. * cheese 4(i. 
candle 7d. currants 9d. sugar 18^. and every other thing whatsoever 
deare ; the souldiers also returning to quarter againe with us, and 
that in a great proportion viz : 25 : 

Y" day wee had 25 Troops came to quarter with us, somewhat Sept. 27. 
bold and vapouring ; through mercy I yett escaped free from them. 

P. ff . Some few of the Troopers were with us hearing. Sept. 29. 

Troopers removed y' quarters having staid with us 10 dayes. We Oct. 7. 
had 25 of Capt. Tailours troops in ffleetwoods regiment. 

Y« season was very faire and wholesome ; the plague abated in Oct. 17. 
London and Chester blessed bee God ; the kingdome in a strange 
unsetled frame. 

P. flast. Oct, 27. 

The King Nov : 11 : about or before supper time escaped from Nov. 14. 
Hampton Court and went downe to the He of Wight to Coll : 
Hammond, who is one of the Coll : of the army (and is to marry 
Cromwells daughter) and its conceived this businesse was not 
done without the privitie of many great ones in the army ; this is 
certaine, letters dated that even, conjecturing whither the King 

^ Beef was usually 2d. a pound. " The year 1646 was the first of a series of 
six years in which the harvest was deplorably bad. " Gardiner, Great Civil Wart 
iii, 195. 

* Obolussahalfpenny. 



46 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

was gone, mention it as most possible to the He of Wight. Great 
endeavo" to divide the army, but not effected hitherto. 

Nov. 18. Payd the last 40/. of the hundred for my land at Roxwell. 

Dec. 5. Troopes among us, very erroneous fellowes, but otherwise indiff- 
erent civill. 

Dec. 25. People hanker after the sports and pastimes that they were 
wonted to enjoy, but they are in many families weaned from 
them. 
1647 : Heard of the votes of the Commons, which seeme to tend to the 

Jan. 9. laying aside of the King ; the Lord direct them. 

Jan. 13. Our souldiers removed from us ; I have through providence to 
this day never beene troubled to quarter either horse or foote, 
nor received any affronts from them. 

Jan. 14. P^ in the most part of our 6 months assessm^ into the hands of 
y* high collector & received dischardges. 

Jan. 15. At night, 60 of Major Swallows Troope in Whaley's regiment, 

that were on y® guard that night the King removed from Hampton, 

came to quarter with us ; though ill I was forced to make the 

ticketts. ' 

This month of January passed without any frost to mention, or 

Warme much wett, but was dry, and open, and warme, and free from 

January winde even to the admiracon of persons ; roses leaved out : fruite 
trees beginning to shoote out and so appricockes more, hedges 
budding out, gooseberries had litle leaves on them. 

ffeb. 6. This time was a sad deare time for poore people, onely their worke 
beyond expectacon continued plentiful and cheape ; money almost 
out of the contry. 

ffeb. 11. On ffriday morning my wife was delivered of her second son. 

ffeb. 20. Y" night againe my sonne very ill ; he did not cry so much as 
y^ night before ; whether the cause was want of strength I knowe 
iiot ; he had a liUe froth in his mouth continually ; in the morning 
y' came some redd mattery stuffe out of his mouth, w*'*^ made us 
apprehend his throate might be soare : Lord thy wiU bee done ; 
he cheerd up very sweetly at night, and in the night was very 

^ i.e. To arrange for quartering the troops in the town. 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 47 

still ; what God will doe I know not, but it becometh mee to 
submitt to his will. 

This day my deare babe Ralph quietly fell a sleepe, and is at ffeb. 21. 
rest with the Lord ; the Lord in mercy sanctifie his hand unto 
mee, and doe mee good by it and teach mee how to walke more 
closely with him. This correction though sad was seasond with 
present goodnes, for first the Lord had given it us untill both my 
selfe & wife had gotten strength, and so more fitt to beare it, then 
if in the depth of our sicknes ; the Lord gave us time to bury it in 
our thoughts ; wee lookt on it as a dying child 3 or 4 dayes : 3 it 
dyed quietly without schreekes, or sobs or sad groanes ; it breathd 
out y« soule with 9 gaspes and dyed ; it was y® youngest, & our 
affections not so wonted unto it. 

As often times before, so on this day did I especially desire ffeb. 23. 
of God to discover and hint to my soule, what is the aime of 
y* God of heaven more especially in this correction of his upon 
mee ; and when I had seriously considered my heart, and wayes, 
and compared them with y® afidiction and sought unto God, my 
thoughts often fixed on thes particulars : 

Wheras I have given my minde to unseasonable playing at 
chesse, now it run in my thoughts in my illnes as if I had beene at 
chesse ; I shall be very sparing in y® use of that recreacon and 
that at more convenient seasons. 

Wheras I have walked with much vanitie in my thoughts and 
resolved agst it and have served divers lusts too much in thought, 
and in actions, wheras both body and soule should bee the Lords 
who hath called mee to holynes, God hath taken away a sonne ; I 
hope the Lord will keepe my feete in uprightness that I may walke 
alwayes with him, and I trust it shall bee my endeavo' more 
than ever : 

And also y^ I should bee more carefuU of my family to instruct 
them in the feare of God, that they may live in his sight and bee 
serviceable to his glory. 

This weeke after a long restraint, God was pleased to sett mee March. 19. 
at liberty againe ; I went abroad now commonly againe to any of 
my freinds & neighbou" houses ; in my restraint I read over 



48 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

Meads ' ** Clavis Apocalyptica, " and Vaser * his " Successio " ' also ; 
my wife went to church with mee, the Lord bee praised for this 
mercy in raising her up againe. 

Library : Made a full end about the library, I receiving from M' Layfeild 
the mony and the residue of the bookes. 
1648 : Rid to Colchester ; mett M' Newcomen, & divers other Ministers ; 
March.31. ^^e had much discourse concerning falling into practice * and in 
the first place, seing that elders are to bee chosen, by whom shall 
it be done ; the parliam* proposeth by the people y* have taken y« 
coven' : others, as M' Owen, conceived this too broad, & would 
have first a separacon to bee made in our parishes, and that by 
the minister, and those godly that joyne unto him, and then proceed 
to choosing. 

April. 6. A hearer at Coggeshall ; heard that the Ministers with eamestnes 
endeavord to promote church government. 

April. 8. Subscribed a peticon for government to y® parliament, as also an 
encouragem' to those London Ministers that appeare agst errors ; 
the Lord heale a sad divided kingdome ; M*^ Newcomen sent to us 
to meete on Wednesday at M' Thompsons about proceeding in the 
matter of church government, but by reason of occasions it was 
intended the Wednesday following. 

April. 10. Meeting at my house ; our discourse was concerning baptisme ; 
M' Harlakenden was afraid of a writt from my Lord of Oxford 
by a stranger from London, but he came about another busin- 
esse, by whom I heard of the sad tumult and rising of divers 
prentises & other rude people at London, wherin 5 or 6 persons 
were slaine. 

April. 23. Our times grow sad, and threaten stormes every day more than 

other ; places growe very much disaffected unto the parliam* ; our 

County now sett on a very dangerous peticon, but I hope in my 

Towne it is prevented, and not likely to proceed. 

May. 1. Heard a report of a tumult at London, Norwich, and this day at 

1 Joseph Mead, B.D., b. 15S6, d. 1638. Fellow of Christ's College, Cambridge. 

• James Ussher, b. 1580, d. 1655. 

' De Ecd»^ Xtian»^ successione et statu. 

* Adopting the new practices. 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 49 

Colchester, and through mercy all this time wee are in peace : that 
at Colchester more in feare and rumo' then in anything else, upon 
which the Trayne band was raised. 

This day I paid unto Thomas Cowell 10/. that formerly I bor- May. 2. 
rowed of him ; now my debts amount to about 50/. I hope through 
Gods goodnes towards mee in some short time to pay them all, if 
no troubles arise to hinder mee. 

This day rid to Castle Hinningham, preached the lecture, on May. 9. 
Cant. 1. 3. Dined at the ordinary with the gentlemen, who paid my 
ordinary. 

Among all y* severall judgments on this nacon, God this spring, Rye 
in y* lattter end of April, when rye was earing & eared, sent such blasted, 
terrible frosts, that the eare was frozen & so dyed, and cometh 
unto nothing : young ashes also y^ leaved were nipt, and blackt, 
and those shootes died, as if the Lord would continue our want, 
and penury, wee continuing o' sins. 

The Lord good and mercifull unto us in good and comfortable May. 14. 
tidings out of Wales, in quelling the power their in armes ^ in such 
a sad time, when all the Contrie cried out against the parlia- 
ment and army and mutinies were in most places, plundering 
honest men, and continuall threatnings against such. Mens minds 
exceedingly inraged ; all the base false reports raised that could 
be to dishearten good men, and to encourage others ; multitudes 
of base bookes written to stirre up to sedicon, and render the 
parliament odious unto the kingdome: truly words cannot convey to 
the understanding of men, the ability to judge what y« times were. 

Vile men have lifted up themselves exceedingly, and presumed May. 21. 
by the people to bring about their old wayes, and that this cause, 
thus farre advanced, should fall to y® ground & come to nothing. 

The schoole M' y* is nominated for our towne came over unto mee. May. 29. 

P. ffast, preacht once, I spent three houres. May. 31. 

Our Committee men putt out a declaracon of the sense of the June. 1. 
Counties peticon ; I was earnestly pressed to appeare in it from 
them, but I refused. 

^ Poycr had seized Tenby Castle and declared for the King. 



50 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

June. 2. Our committee men met at Chelmsford and were secured by the 
peticoners ^ ; the morning was very wett, wherby S' Tho. Honywood 
and Coll. Cooke who intended to bee their, were reserved at home 
to doe y"^ country service as they did. 

June. 3. Captaine Maidstone brought y* newes * to S' Tho. Honywood. 
2 Deputy Lieutenants, M' Tindall, M' Sawyer, burgesse for Col- 
chester, refused to joyne with S' Th. H., in raising forces to oppose 
in our owne defence, w*'** yett wee agreed to doe, wherin some few 
did y' best for y' poore contry : for my part I went daily to 
Coggeshall to observe the worke, wherin I was no hindrance ; I 
went and returned commonly by my Lady Honywoods whom God 
used as a pretious instrument in this worke. 

All this weeke full of rumo" and feares, the enemies increased 
apace ; our Towne went in on Tuesday : 6 : day to Coggeshall, and 
were the first of the contry that appeared. June. 8. M' H. came 
in unto us ; wee begun to send out parties of horse this way and 
that ; brought of the Magazine from Braintree ; the way was stopt 
that wee could have no intelligence. Goring and the Kentish men 
were come into Essex ; wee were all young and raw men, yett God 
in mercy disposed our spirits to resolvednes and a willing laying 
out ou' selves ; we had many alarmes but all false, the enemy 
never attempted on us at Coggeshall. 

June. 11. The enemy marcht on to Braintree die : 10 : and this day, being 
up and downCi plundering and taking away M' Nicholson 2 miles 
beyond us upwards to Colchester ; our people assembled in armes; 
wee were not able to drawe into Church for the keeping the 
Sabbath, but were deprived of that opportunity : wee sett good 
guards in the towne ; at 8 of the clocke y' night the enemy advanced 
from Braintree to Halsted ; wee heard they intended Colchester, 
but wee knew not for certaine this. 

June. 12. On Monday morning the enemy came to Colne, were resisted by 
our towne men. No part of Essex gave them so much opposicon 
as wee did ; they plundered us, and mee in particular, of all 

^ Gardiner Great Civil Waty iv, 146 puts the date of this as June 4. 
* i.e. Of the siege of Colchester : vide Gardiner, Great Civil War, iv, 146, &c., 
for the full account of this siege. 



RALPH JOSSELIN^S DIARY Si 

that was portable, except brasse, pewter, and bedding ; I made 
away to Coggeshall, and avoyded their scouts through providence ; 
I praise God for this experiment ; it is not so much to part with 
any thing as wee suppose, God can give us a contented heart in 
any condicon, and when o' losses may serve to advance Gods 
glory, wee ought to rejoyce in the spoiling of our goods ; this day 
I borrowed mony for to buy hose, and borrowed a band to wear, 
having none in my power. I was welcome imto, and pittied by 
my Lady Honywood. 

I returned home, mett with danger by our owne men, who by June. 13. 
some suddaine accident mistaking mee, fought for mee, but I 
escaped their hands through Gods mercy, who in their fury might 
have done mee wrong ; I was called for by my freinds and acqaint- 
ed that y' was no danger, and espying the men still in the streete, 
my poore babe Mary cryed and pittied mee ; but one desired mee 
to goe out of her house for feare shee should be plundered : it cutt 
my heart to see my life no more regarded by her, and it was the 
greatest damper and trouble to my spirit for present that ever I 
mett with ; a true freind shewes, if in adversity, and such I found 
M" Church and her daughter ; I am perswaded it cutt the heart 
of the gentlewoman for what shee said, and y'fore.I willingly in 
my spirit passed the unkindnes by. My deare wife was with 
mee, much amazed : I went to my Lady Honywoods that night, 
and my wife and all the children, where wee have been kindely 
entertained ; the Lord requite her love ; I my wife, and children, 
could not shift us, untill my Lady furnished us with y^ same ; that 
night the Gen. marcht to Colchester, were was a sad skirmish; wee 
retreated to Lexden, and resolved to drawe a line about the towne. 

I went divers times to the leagure, but through Gods providence, 
I mett with no danger, yett the musketts divers times, and the 
Drake * bullet flew with divers noises neare mee. 

• 

' " The drake was a brass field gun used in the Civil War, 9 ft. long, weight 
143 cwts., carrying a 5 lb. shot and a charge of 4 or 5 lbs. of powder. Many 
old pieces of artillery were named from animals, a dragon was a carbine ; cul- 
verin came from the French couleuvre, an adder ; a drake and a saker from 
birds. " (Note in Vcrney Memoirs). 



52 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

June. 10. I preacht at Markshall and M' Clopton for mee ; I preach! in 
my litle coate as I goe every day ; I could not with that confidence 
venture to Colne at first as afterwards, but being wonted to the 
troubles, and rationally considering the same, and submitting unto, 
and resting in Gods providence, I was daily more and more 
emboldened. 

June. 25. This Lords day I preacht at Earles Colne to my owne people, 
who were glad to see mee preach to them. 

June. 28. This was the P : ff : I was perswaded not to preach, but I did, 

and had the greatest audience, I had many dayes before ; but 

Wett truly our hearts are not cleansed nor our wayes reformed ; the 

summer. Lord goeth out against us in the season, which was wonderfuU 
wett ; fiouds every weeke, hay rotted abroad, much was carried 
away with the flouds, much inned but very dirty, and dangerous 
for catle ; corne layd, pulled downe with weeds ; wee never had 
the like in my memory, and that for the greatest part of the sum- 
mer ; it continued to August : 14 : when it rained that it made a 
litle floud, and commonly wee had 1 or 2 flouds weekely, or indeed 
in the meadowes their was as it were a continuall floud. 
July. 2. I preacht at home, and so I did every Lords day that month, 
and on the fast day ; wee were not troubled with one alarme, but 
the carts went continuaUy to the leagure, and so did persons, that 
y' was no distinction made of Sabbath, so that warre truly is 
ready to make people more vile, a rare thing to see men made 
better. 

Aug. 13. The 2 Lords dayes in this month I preacht to my people. My 
lady Honywood continueth to afford entertainment still to mee and 
to my wife and children. 

Aug. 16. A very great floud with the great raines last day & night : the 
season sad, and threatning. 

The nacons sins are many & sad. Lord lett publike ones be 
pardoned ; the nacons judgments are, 1 : continual raine to the 
spoyling of much grasse, and threatning of the harvest ; 2 : the 
sad charge by warre to the undoing of y® contry ; the sad decay of 
trade in reference to our poore, to our undoing except God finde 
out some other way of subsistence. 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 53 

The Warre in the nacon, the divisions among our selves, our 
cryings out after peace on any termes to save o*" skins and estate, 
whoever become of others, Lord remove thes judgments from us 
for thy name sake. 

My Lady sent home my 3 children, gave us 2 paire of sheets : Aug. 16. 17. 
our children and wee were y*^ 9 weekes and 4 dayes and had con- 
tinued their still if M' Hohywood had not fell sicke. 

Mett in a day of humiliacon at my lady Honywoods ; at night wee Aug. 22. 
heard the newes of the Scots rout, a confirmation whereof wee expect. 

Dayly raines, but especially this morning, wee found it exceeding Aug. 24. 
wett ; it caused a very great floud, aboundance of hay rotten, 
much corne cutt and not cutt groweth, and yett men repent not, 
to give glory unto God : this day a thanksgiving at y® Hith church ^ 
for y® victory in the North ; * the enemy in Colchester demanding 
very high termes on which to surrender the towne. 

Great hopes that Colchester would have surrendered presently, Aug. 25. 
but so great a worke must aske a longer time to effect y^ same. 

Wee kept a day of humiliacon : y' night wee heard of y* Scots Aug. 22. 
route, on Friday the season sett in comfortably, and on y* Lords 
day, Colchester agreed to surrender ; speedie and sweet answers 
of prayers. 

Colchester yeilded ; infinite numbers of people went thither ; Aug. 28. 
y* Councell of warre adjudged 3 to be shott to death. S' Charles 
Lucas, S' George Lile who accordingly suffered, & S' Barnaby ' 
Gascoine an Italian who was spared. * 

Aug : 30 : a wett night, and wettish day, as if God would have P* ff* 
called men to his wp, but their was no regard of the same ; my 
tlioughts growe strong within mee to give over preaching at Colne 
at Michaelmas, and to declare the same beforehand, to the cheife 

' The Hythe was the landing place for boats arriving from the moath of 
the Colne. 

* At Preston. 

* This should be Sir Bernard. 

* " Gascoine, who had already taken off his doublet to die with his comrades, 
was told that he was reprieved. His foreign extraction, combined, it is said, 
with the devoutness of his preparation for death, had saved him. " Gardiner, 
Great Civil War iv, 204. 



54 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

inhabitants ; Lord direct mee what to doe, I have given out 
speeches of my enforcement unto it ; I preacht once this day on 
Amos 8 : 11. 12, concerning the famine of the word wherin 
having occasion to speake of the conditon of this land I delivered 
my thoughts to this purpose. 

People, when our armies had conquered all our enemies, my 
thoughts were sad concerning the displeasure of God remaining 
towards England ; and I told you Essex must not escape, which is 
come to passe by the marchings of Goring & his army and 
plundering many places, persons, the sad ruine of Colchester by 
fire, the decay of trade by their losses, the charge of the countie 
in mainteyning their forces at the seidge, and sending in provisions 
for above 1 1 weekes for many thousands of horse and foote ; my 
thoughts were and are sad concerning England still, not from the 
rising of many counties agst the parliam^, the strong invasion of 
the Scots upon us, for my thoughts verily were God would breake 
them ; but when I consider the decay of the power of godlynesse 
among christians, y' flightinesse of Spirit towards Gods ordinance, 
the wofuU uncontroulable encrease of all manner of wickednes 
among us, y^ awe that was on mens hearts towards God and his 
wayes being removed, the slighting all the warnings of God in 
judgments and by his ministers, maketh mee thinke God is yett 
angry, and he will leave our great Counsell to their wonted 
partiality in their wayes, and bring more ruine one way or other 
on the nacon, or give us up to the cursed wayes of our owne 
hearts, taking away his ministers and s** apace from England, and 
few arising in their stead. 

August. 30. 1648. after y* route of Hamilton, taking of Colchester, 
discovery of the City plott, * when all our feares seemed gone, and 
our enemies hopes quite dasht. 

The raine that fell caused a floud : the Suffolke forces went home 
yesterday, all the residue of the army was drawne up in a body, 
and almost all the Essex forces were disbanded : the prisoners 
were many of them sent unto Kelvedon this night. 

* Vide Gardiner, Great Civil War^ iv, 196, 197. 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 55 

A fayre day. Septemb. 1, it was very wett and hindred men in Aug. 31. 
y' harvesting ; wee feared it would cause a floud. Major Haines 
returned from y® North where they have taken about 13000 prisoners. 

The prisoners taken at Colchester are dispersing apace ; divers Sept. 5. 
gett away. S' W™ Compton, y' Sergeant Major Gen, 2 Coll. by 
meanes of our waggon- M'-Generall made an escape. Coll : Cul- 
pepper, Coll: Chester. S' Abraham Shipman, escaped out of M' 
Warrens house. 

A publike day of thanks for the great and notable mercy in the Sept. 7. 
route and dissipating of the Scotch army * by the forces under 
Cromwell and Lambert. 

I drunke my beere for 3 or 4 dayes with as much content out of Sept. 10. 
a dish as at sometimes out of a silver bowle. My thoughts much 
working within mee about leaving Colne, seing they have not 
regarded to bring in promised maintenance unto mee. 

Being as it were forsaken and neglected by the inhabitants of Sept. 12. 
Earles Colne, and destitute of competent maintenance to live upon, 
I sett this morning apart to seeke unto God for direction in this 
matter, whether providence called mee away, or whether I should 
continue with them still ; now the good Lord who is the God of 
prayer answer my desires and request, and make mee to understand 
that which is most pleasing in thy sight. 

First my case in reference to maintenance is this : first for tithes, 
the general maintenance, the last yeare I received in from the 
Towne, at severall times, with much calling upon, 25/. 6s. 9d, and 
perhaps this yeare may afford thus much ; then M' Jacob is to pay 
4/. w*^ perhaps he will continue to pay : M*" R. Harlakenden he its 
likely will performe his 20/. per annum : so their is about 49/., if 
the tithes bee gotten in : for the other 31 pound I have not 
received 4/. ; but suppose their should 8 or 9/. pound of it bee 
paid, y« amounts not unto 60/. by the yeare, out of which I am to 
pay taxes, which will amount to 3/. per annum : tenths to the 
Parliam*, and reparacons, which will bring it downe to a matter of 
50/. a yeare, and for this I have my selfe, wife, 3 children, mayde, 

* At Preston. 



56 RALPH JOSSELIN^S DIARY 

my wife a childing woman, so that this summe cannot at the great 
price all things now beare mainteine us in a very lowe manner. 

But y"^ are 2 things more incumbent on mee, and that is to bee 
hospitable and mindfull of the poore ; Titus : 1 : 8 : and our Towne 
is full of poore, and a roade way, and their are great occasions for 
a liberall releiving hand, which those y* have not cannot performe; 
this then brings a scandall on the ministry, as if he had much but 
would not releive them. 

Farther, a man is bound to provide for his family, and lay up for 
them ; this Scripture alloweth, commendeth, requireth : Gen : 30 : 
30 : and now when shall I provide for my owne house also : 2 
Cor : 2 : 14 : 1 Timoth : 5 : 8 : and in a probable way when a mans 
children are young, and he is young, is the fittest time to doe this 
duty ; but when the yearely income cannot mainteine, what is 
their to lay up ? 

Againe, what a distraction it is for men to be intangled with 

thoughts of providing for their tables, when wee should be attending 

our studdyes : under the law, tithes were brought in to the preists ; 

now wee must run out after them ; its a great discomfort when a 

man is not mainteined freely, and cheerefuUy, though it be sparingly, 

Ob : * But God hath increased your estate here at Colne. 

Ans : It is true, y® secrett treasures being his, he hath done it ; but 

those dayes are past ; how to subsist with any freedome I knowe 

not nowe, and if I could I professe I would not remove ; I have 

bought something while I lived at Colne, but halfe I have gained 

hath not beene from Colne but on other occasions. 

Ob : But it may be Colne doth for your maintenance what they are able. 

Ans :1. Not ; y*^ towne is able to mainteine a minister, and his family with 

an 100/. per annum, if they were willing : but people are regardles 

and careles of the w^* of God, as if they could well spare it. 

2. Y« litle promised by contribucon and tithes, is payd very 
unwillingly : the contribucon not regarded to be gathered of them; 
a man or 2 is willing, but not any other are willing so much as to 
gather it up from others. 

* Objection. 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 57 

3. The parliament hath added augmentacons to other livings ; 
our townesmen neglect ours ; true an addicon was granted, but it 
is ineffectual!, neither doe wee take any course to make it eff ectuall : 

Upon this and many other consideracons, seing my mmistry 
thus barren, and slighted in Colne, I have cause to be humbled, 
and search my heart, and see whether it bee rather a punishment 
on mee for my sin, or a providence of God withall to remove mee 
from them. 

I cannot but acknowledge many iniquities in mee, and neglect Ans : 1. 
in my calling, and indeed great unfitnes and inability for this 
weighty worke, and this, Lord, I Hament from the bottome of my 
heart ; & questionles when the Lord makes people neglect their 
ministers, y' is a respect to them in it, * though perhaps not 
principally. 

But in regard the state of things I stand thus : I have continued Ans : 2. 
to beare many wants, contented my selfe with small meanes, 
stirred them up to regard y® condicon of the Towne & so others 
have also, and yett nothing done but my condicon is worse and 
meanes than before ; I continued about 11 weekes at my Lady 
Honywoods, and it was knowne it was for want of meanes to 
keepe house, yett in all that time, though I was plundered, did my 
people consider my condicon, gather up any of the moneyes due 
unto mee ? So that it seemeth cleare to mee providence invites 
mee away, my heart being also more inclined to lay downe, 
having no offers of a place, but leaving it to Gods providence to 
provide, then I ever was when I had offerres of good places made 
unto mee. 

And in this condicon it seemes to mee cleare that I may depart. 
I doe not leave them untill they have forsaken mee ; I desire no 
great meanes to live richly in the world, but convenient food and 
rayment, & the Lord ordaines that they which preach the gospell 
should live upon the gospell, and that in many places of Scripture, 
1 Corinth : 9 : 14 ; and surely then, when any place doth not ^ 

afford him a subsistence, he may observe his providence in going 

^ The fault rests partly with them. 



58 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

unto another ; and when the preists had not their tithes brought 
in whereby they might waite in the Temple but were scattered 
into y' severall cities and feilds for bread, here is the worship of 
God neglected, the preists leave the Temple : whose sin and fault 
was it, being they wanted their meanes of livelyhood ? It was the 
peoples, and the princes ; they are blamed for the same, Nehem. 
13. 10. 11. and he gathers them togither and setts them in their 
places, and provideth for them. v. 13. 14. 

So then I lay it downe as a conclusion that my Towne affords me 
not a competent maintenance ; if they make it appeare they have, 
then lett the blame of it rest on mee, and this is the reason I will 
insist on ; and I will not be my owne judge ; lett any understanding 
men judge whether 80/. bee not as litle as a man can live on in 
thes times, and this place, & seing they doe not, it is a just & a 
warrantable reason by Scripture, and nature, to provide otherwise, 
according as providence shall direct. 

So then, after looking into the Word to be my counsello"' and 
seeking unto God to direct mee, my resolucon is to acquaint 
M' Harlakenden with my condicon and what I must of necessity bee 
inforced to doe ; and if by him and the townesmen I bee provided 
for, in paying in my dues last yeare, and in securing the next yeares, 
if I live with them ; if not, that then I must, though with lothnes 
lay downe at Michaelmas & leave the townesmen to take care of 
the same, to provide another minister, & for my perticular to cast 
my selfe on Gods providence to provide for mee, as hee seeth best. 

This resolucon I intend to prosecute, and to observe God in 
the same, and, whatsoever his providences are, to take them with 
as much patience and quietnes of Spirit as may bee, and with a 
thankefulnes unto God, for whoever he appoints mee unto. 

I shall also alwayes acknowledge that their are some in this 
Towne, that to their power, and beyond their ability, have beene 
loving to mee, and done their part to continue the Ministry of the 
word among them, whom it greiveth my soule to part with ; but 
for what they have done they will have God and y*" owne con- 
science bearing them witnesse, and affording them peace and 
comfort in whatsoever condicon cometh upon them. 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 59 

I went downe to M' R. Harlakenden, acquainted him with my 
purpose to leave Colne ; he is sorry, wisheth it were otherwise ; 
but y' is no proposall of remedy & indeed y® fault is not particularly 
in him. 

This weeke die 20. 22, was very wett, the season very sad both 
in reference to corne and unto fallowes, very few lands being fitt 
to bee sowne upon ; some say that divers catle that feed in the 
meadowes dye, y' bowells being eaten out with gravel & durt. 

On the 17th of August I intimated that it was probable I should 
not very long stay with them, but truly very few in the towne 
regard it, or seeme to take any notice of it. 

Some of the womenkinde of the parrish desire mee not to Aug. 24. 
goe away, and M' EUiston, who promiseth his endeavor to y® 
uttermost to better the meanes, but other men stirre not, say 
nothing. 

Some time in this weeke I spent in reading Hebrew and I resolve, Oct. 8. 
now I am neare 32 yeares old, to sett my selfe more closely to the 
studdy of it. Things are yett very deare ; I gave 8s. 2d. for a bushel 
of new wheate, the greatest price I ever gave in my time of 
housekeeping. 

This weeke I bestowed some time in the studdy of Hebrew; vita Oct. 29. 
brevis ars longa, and much time I have & doe misspend, and find 
it hard to redeeme the time. 

In the latter end of October I begun to reade Bell : * de 15 Oct. 
staires or ladder steps to God, a prettie discourse ; it containes 
418 pages in 16^ I also read in mornings fferi"*' Specimen, a 
learned discourse, it containeth p. 559 : I observed the most 
materiall things in him. 

A very rainy day ; heard that Coll : Rainsbrough was stabbed in Nov. 4. 
in the North ' by 2 that pretended to be sent from the Lieu*^ Gen. 
with a letter unto him. 

Wee begun this morning to rise early, and to spend some time Nov. 6. 
by fire and candle ; I intend in morning to read over the liberall 

^ Robert Bellarminf Cardinal, b. 1542, d. 162 1. 

• Paul Ferri, of Metz, Protestant Divine and Preacher, b. 1591, d. 1669. 

' at Doncaster : for his career see Did: of Nat: Biography. 



60 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

Vossius arts, and began with Vossius* Rhet Tom. 1. in 4". It containes 
institute 433 p. j ceptis aspira nostris, domine, that hereby, being more skild 

^ ' in the tongue and arts, I may be more usefull in my generacon. 
fferrig. This night I perfected the reading of fferius Specimen. 
Nov. 13. Begun the reading, and noting the principal things, out of 
Hookers 2 treatises concerning church goverm' by M"^ Hooker, called a 
and Cot- survey of the sum of church discipline ; the second treatise by 
tises • ^' Cotton, called The way of congregational churches, cleared in 
in 2 treatises, one historicall, against Baylie disswasive, the other 
polemical. The time I allotted for this was in the forenoone togither 
with my Hebrew studdies ; viz what time I could picke before 
dinner, having read Vossius ante solem, and being to learne a part 
every morning in the Heb. Gram. 
Nov. 15. This night I made an end of reading Bellarmines scale ad Deum, 
Bellarmin s ^ booke that containeth divers sweet meditacons in it, and now I 
intend on nights to reade ov' the ecclesiastical history. 
Nov. 16. This night I began by candle light to reade the ecclesiastical 
Cent. 1** history, called the Centuries of Magdeb: This I intend, if God give 
lib. 1. j^gg strength, to read on nights, that therby I may understand the 
state and affayre of that body wherof Christ is the head, and 
observe from history the witnesse of the several gratious preser- 
vacons of Gods truths, and servants in all ages. 
Nov. 18. I finisht the reading of Vossius his first tome. 
Nov. 30. M"* Harlakenden with me from London : he did nothing about 
the augmentacon, neither doe any regard to bring mee in any 
moneyes to live upon. 
Dec. 11. I was hard putt to it for money receiving none from my people. 
Bakers Finisht the reading of Vossius Rhetoricke. I read Bakers Chronic- 
Chronicle, les of England ' now and then for my recreation, and the ArchbP* 
triall. 
Dec. 21. This day M' Harlakenden and M' EUiston went about to gather 

* Gerard John, 1 577-1649 : Dutch classical scholar and Protestant theologian. 

» Sir Richard Baker, b. 1568, d. 1645. " The Chronicle of the Kings of 
England, inexact and uncritical, but written in a pleasant and readable style, 
quickly acquired a high reputation. It was continued to 1668 by Edward 
Phillips, Mitton's nephew. " (Encycl : Brittan :), 







RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 61 

my money y* was much in arreare ; they brought me in 3/. 65. and 
a good report generally of a willingness in the people to doe some- 
thing towards my maintenance. 

This day M*" H. and M' Ell : went to gather up some contribucon Dec. 25. 
for me, and found some persons willing to contribute, which were 
not yett in the bill ; they brought me in in money 3/. which was a 
good refreshing to mee. 

This weeke I had some moneys from my people. Dec. 31. 

I finisht the reading of S' Ri : Bakers Chronicle ; also this day I Jan. 4. 
entred upon a great worke, wherin I intend some care & paines to Bakers 
collect the places of Scripture, that seeme different one from ^"ro"icle 
another, and the reconciling of them : Lord assist mee with ^^lth,j^g^Qj^^M 
strength & wisedome for this great worke. 

This day 7 yeares King Charles came to demand the 5 members, 
and it was thought with an intention to have offered violence to 
the house ; this day the Commons of themselves ordered the 
tryall of the King ; many men cry out of this worke y* it will 
ruine y® kingdome, the army, religion &c. For my part I conceive 
it strange, extraordinary, and that it will occasion very much trouble 
betwixt the prince, and his freinds, and the joyners in the new 
representative, * but if the worke bee of God it will prosper, if not 
it will come to nothing. 

Y" day, I went abroad to S"" Tho: Honywoods, I found him home, Jan. 4. 
and heard by him good hope that the augmentacon granted by 
Parliam* may prove at last eff ectuall ; if so, I shall blesse God ; if 
not I shall bee content. 

This weeke the Lord good and mercifull to me and mine in our Jan. 7. 
health, peace, in providing for us, notwithstanding the great dearnes 
of every thing, beefe at 3^. ob per pd, wheate 7s. 6^. rye 6s. 4^/. 
cheese 4rf. butter tdr ob per pound, and men expect it will bee 
dearer and dearer. 

' " The rejection of this ordinance by the few Peers who remained brought 
about a fresh resolution from the Lower House, ' that the People are, under God, 
the original of all just power ; that the Commons of England in Parliament 
assembled — being chosen by, and representing the People — have the supreme 
power in this nation * " etc. (Green, History of the English People^ 554). 



62 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

Divers people in imitacon, or in abuse, sitt with y' hats on when 
wee are singing psalmes. 
Jan. 13. My hall chamber was finisht by M' Harrington ; the masons 
worke & stuffe one way or other amounted to about 50s. ; the 
timber I found, onely he payd the carpenters. 
Hooker This weeke I finisht the reading of Hookers discourse about 
and church goverm* ; I find it a peice worthy the perusing, I observed 
Cotton, ^j^g j^Qg^ materiall heads out of it. 

Jan. 15. I began to read Smalcius ^ the Socinian, agst the incarnacon of 
Smalcius Christ, in latine ; it containeth 29 pages in a large quarto. 

Jan. 16. Began to read dilligently over Amama's* Heb : Grammer. 

Amama 

p. 240. 

Jan. 17. Finisht the reading of Smalcius discourse, a man of subtle witt. 
This day and y* 18th M"^ Harlakenden kept his courts. 

Lessius. I read over Lessius, * and the treatise with it, and though I am 
not satisfied concerning a constant measure of provision, yett I 
concurre with him, that a full diet is not best ; plus necai gula quam 
gladius ; a slender and a hard diett and exercise is very much 
conducing to o' health, and to mine in particular, and therefore my 
thoughts are to bee more moderate in my diett then formerly. 



33 : y : 1648 : 

Jan. 25. This day I have completed my 32 yeare, & enter now upon 

my 33 y'. 
Jan. 28. I followed my Hebrew studdies this weeke, but not so seriously 

as I intended. I did somewhat also in my reconciler, to the 

15th of Genesis. 
Jan. 31. Heard K. C. was executed, but that was uncertaine: he was 

* Smalcius, German Unitarian writer, circ. 1620. 

' Amama, Dutch Orientalist, 1593- 1629. 

' Lessius, Dutch, wrote on the Immortality of the Soul. 1554-1623. 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 63 

adjudged to dye Jan. 27. 1648. Bradshaw, the lord president, 
pronounced sentence ; this day was a fast, a very cold day. 

I was much troubled with the blacke providence of putting the ffeb. 4. 
King to death ; my teares were not restrained at the passages about 
his death ; the Lord in mercy lay it not as sinne to the charge of 
the kingdome, but in mercy doe us good by the same ; the small 
poxe on some familyes of the towne but spreadeth not, to God be 
the glory therof : this weeke I could doe nothing neither in my 
Hebrew, nor in my reconciler. 

The death of the king talked much of ; very many men of the 
weaker sort of Christians in divers places passionate concerning 
it, but so ungroundedly, that it would make any to bleed to observe 
it; y^ Lord hath some great thing to doe; feare & tremble att it, oh 
England. 

Monday it was debated about Kings and Peeres; on Tuesday the 
house of Commons ordered to null the house of Lords as uselesse, 
& on the next day to lay aside the Goverm^ by Kings, & to sett up 
a councell of state. 

Great dearth and want of all things, I gave 4rf. per pound for porke. ffeb. 18. 

I was dealt with to subscribe a manifest of the Minist. agst. the ffeb. 19. 
present proceedings, and the Agreem^ of the people, ^ and a 
dissent in the matter of the King ; y*^ are some things are well done, 
but for Ministers to intermedle thus in all difficulties of state I, 
question the warrantablenes therof, and therfore I could not 
concurre ; but my advice is that the civill part might be undertaken 
by some able statesman and the religious part by some able 
Ministers, and then proceed to a subscription. 

That part of the army before Pomfrett hangd a Minister, a ffeb. 25. 
Cavalier ; they condemned him for holding intelligence with the 
enemy in the Castle, and that he had a hand in betraying the 
same ; this weeke their seemed to appear some differences in the 
Councell of state, and in the army especially, a dangerous peticon 
as they say being sett a foote ; * and truly the enemies onely course 
is to divide them on the peoples interest and their owne ; for 

' vide Gardiner, Great Civil War^ iv, 281. 

' vide Gardiner's Commonwealth and Protectorate^ i, 34. 



64 RALPH JOSSELIN^S DIARY 

probably, if they * continue united it will cost a sea of bloud, and a 
world of trouble to alter what is now in setling. 

March. 18. Cheese now at 4d. q. & ob per pound, butter sold by some at 
8d : porke 4d. q. or ob, beefe 3d. ob. q. great feare of the decay of 
trade. 

March. 22. M' W. H. came home from the assizes ; he was sworne y*" justice 
of peace ; we have 3 justices now within 2 mile of our Towne on 
either hand with him ; the Lord make him serviceable for our 
good ; y' are but few in y*^ countie, its a good providence that wee 
are so well supplyed : y' fell out worke for him as soone as he 
came home, pretences* of slaughter ; heard by him that L. Col. 
Lilburne and his partie did gather about S^ Albans to goe on with 
their pretended principle of libertie, and to ease the subject of 
taxes ; tis true y' are burthens on us, and divers pretend to amend 
them, but they are but easy easyers; they rather increase then ease 
our burthens ; Martin, * and some others its s^ joyne with him, and 
encourage him. 

March. 25. I was very neglectful! in my Hebrew studdies this weeke ; but I 

Meditacons begun a peice of work which I hope will not be unprofitable to 

1 ^40^^ ^^^ ^^ '"y spirituall estate, viz. as I read over the Scriptures, some 

places yeild me much spirituall solace, matter of rejoycing and 

some of ingagements, * which I take notice of in a booke for that 

purpose ; I went on more speedily then formerly in my reconciler; 

I finisht Numb : Cap : 12. this weeke. 

March. 27. Yesterday I bought mee a new felt, it cost mee, 7s. ; this 

morning M' Nicholsons stable being robbed. Justice Harlakenden 

came over to mee ; I made out two hue and cry's after the horse on 

the road ; the first that I ever writt in my life. 

April. 15. This weeke the Lord was good and merciful! to mee and mine 

in all outward mercies, when as their is a great scarcitie of all 

things, * beefe ordinarily 4d. per lib : butter 7 o' 8d. cheese 5d., 

* The Council and the Army. 
' Charges. 

' Henry Martin, who afterwards abandoned the Levellers. 

* i. e. to God : 

* vide Gardiner, Commonwealth and Protectorate^ i, 44. 



RALPH JOSSELIN^S DIARY 65 

wheate 7s. 6d. rye 6s. 8d. yett we wanted nothing needful! o' 
fitting for us. 

This day by act was sett apart for a day of humiliacon but was April. 19. 
not kept in most places by reason the act was not divulged abroad, 
wherby ministers and people might have timely notice to prepare 
for the same. 

My deare wife had beene very ill for 3 weekes, now towards May. 5. 
night paynes came fast on her and shee was delivered before nine 
of the clocke of her 5* child, and third sonne, God giving us 
another sonne in stead of my deare Ralph whom he tooke away ; 
my wife was alone a great while with our good f reinds M" Mary, and 
her mother ; some few women were with her, but the midwife not, 
but when God commands deliverance y' is nothing hinders it. 

Great difficulties by reason of the proceedings of divers souldiers May. IS. 
designed for Ireland. 

This day was a day of publike humiliacon; many men in great May. 17. 
straites and difficulties in regard of the Levellers attempts to raise 
troubles, and many of the souldiers discontents ; God was mercifuU 
to mee in giving me strength for the duty of the day wherin I 
spent publickely above 4 houres. 

This day I payed M' Harlakenden of the priory 12/. : I now May. 18. 
owe unto him 23/. for which I gave him a bill to pay it upon 
demand, and I intend God willing to pay him well and truly with 
all speed : my lady sent her daughter M"^ Elizabeth and kinswoman 
with her cost (sic) to give my wife a visitt ; wee testified the utmost 
of our respect unto her. I gave her the choice of any booke in my 
library, which shee accepted very kindely and lovingly from mee. 

Heard the newes of quashing the Levellers, a glorious rich 
providence of God to England. 

This weeke the Lord was good to us, in our peace, in health. May. 20. 
and providing for us notwithstanding the great scarcity of all 
things, rye at 6s. 8^ bushel, butter at 7d pound, cheese 6d, beefe 
5d, lambe 7d. 

I received this day my money from M' Tho : Harlakenden and May. 22. 
pd M' Harlakenden 4/. ; I now owe him but 19/. wherof the 
greatest part I hope to pay very shortly. 



66 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

May. 25. This day I pd for beefe about 4J. ob. q. a pound, and 5d, the 
pound for mutton, but beefe was commonly 5d, y* pound : 9s. and 
10s. the score, the best in the markets. 
May. 26. Begun to read this history \ horis successivis, its in a large octavo, 
Sleidans but a smal character and close ; it containes the merveylous 
Co™- dawning and spreading of the reformacon of reUgion in the latter 
dayes under Luther, and y® progresse y' of for divers yeares. 
Medes Begun to read M' Medes discourses on several texts, and to 
discourses, observe some of y® most materiall things y' in. 
June. 3. This day was very warme & comfortable, I gave 8s. 2d. for 
a score of indifferent beefe. I spent a litle time in my Hebrew, 
did a litle in my meditacons and reconciler to Deut : 12 : and 
spent some time in Sleidan, where I observe the strange progresse 
of the gospell in Germany and other places, many princes and 
families renouncing the pope, and of late yeares none have ; 
neither hath the gospell any entertainm* in Spaine, Italy, Sicily, 
and in the territories of the Venetians ; I did somewhat in Medes 
discourses. 
June. 18. Rid with M' Harlakenden to Stortford; 19, wee and M' H. son 
rid to Cambridge where I viewed with delight my old coUedge ; 
the M' and fellowes, very good men, hope of y' good : 20, M' R. 
Harlakenden admitted fellow commoner of Jesus. 
June. 27. Spent most of this day in a day of prayer, entreating God for 
John Burton who was to be cutt of the stone, for my owne distem- 
per, that God who healeth his would bee an healing God to mee 
and to others. 
July. 1. The newes from Ireland this weeke was sad, that the enemy was 
come before Dublin ; * the Lord in mercy provide for them if it 
bee his pleasure, and give us successe against them. 
July. 7. Received newes and true that Major Heynes, my good freind, had 
procured me 15/. for my pay as chaplaine to the regiment for 
Colchester service ; it was a singular kindnes in him towards mee : 
my good freind M" Mary Church brought mee in 20s, from her 
selfe, and 20s. from M" Mabel to buy mee a booke. 

* Sleidan, 1506- 1556. Historian of the Reformation. 

' Ormond occupied the grounds of Phoenix Lodge on June 21. 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 67 

This weeke reports were heard from Ireland ; wee looked when July. 8. 
Cromwell should goe, but yett he did not. John Burton for whom 
wee sought God June 27, was cutt for the stone July 6, and good 
hopes he will recover, and doe well ; God of his mercy say Amen 
thereunto. Made a collection for Lancashire which is much 
afflicted with famine and pestilence. 

Y' newes from Ireland this weeke is sad, Culmore Castle lost, July. 14. 
and so no releiving of Derry by water : Tredagh likely to be lost, 
y*" magazine being blowne up with powder by y® treachery of some 
aldermen ; tis many times Gods season to helpe when wee are low ; 
Cromwell marcht out of London in great state ; * they goe with 
wonderfuU confidence ; the issue is in Gods glorious armes dis- 
posing. 

I began formely and now to bee sensible of a distemper and July. 15. 
weaknes in my backe about the reines ; I have had y® same divers 
yeares, what it tends to I knowe not. 

Kept a day of humiliacon at y« priory, for the good successe July. 18. 
of Ireland. I brought home a bible for my sonne Thomas, which 
cost me 3s. 2d. : this booke is now very cheap. 

Finisht the reading his 26 bookes of Commentaries July 20 : Sleidan. 
I begun to reade his discourse on y^ 4 empires & finisht it July 29. 

M' Harlakenden would not goe to y* assizes ; the other justices July. 24. 
went. 

This day I bought of John Beereman a parcell of land, now July. 26. 
Sarah Haukesbees ; it containd 3 acres and more ; rent 21. 10s. 
besides the lords rent ; it cost mee 36/. ISs. I am to pay all his 
mony even downe and to take the rent due at Michaelmaes. I payd 
him 15/. home with him ; this is Gods providence to blesse mee, 
and to adde to that litle which I have. 

This weeke o' newes was sad for Ireland ; no forces gone & July. 29. 
Tredah, and Trim, and Carickfergus, and Carlingford lost ; Dun- 

* " On July 12 he set oat for Bristol with unwonted state in a coach drawn by 
six grey Flanders mares and protected by a lifeguard every member of which 
was * either an officer or an esquire '. Above him floated a milk-white standard, 
symbolising as it would seem, his hope to bring back whiterobed peace from 
amidst the horrors of war/" (Gardiner, Commonwealth & Protectorate^ i, io8.) 



68 RAL'PH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

dalke beseidged, ' and also Dublin close beseidged by the enemy ; 
Cromwell not yett ready to goe over ; publisht this day an order 
for a day of humiliacon to seeke unto God, for a blessing on the 
forces designed for Ireland ; Gods providence hath beene very 
good towards mee ; I have payd since last yeare I was plundered 
already full 40/. which I ought and I have payd 15/. on a purchase, 
and hope through Gods goodnes to pay of \ shortly twenty pounds 
more ; John Burton came home from London cutt of the stone, his 
life spared, his wound healed, I hope cured, answered very sweetly 
in o' prayers. 

Aug. 1. A day of P. Humiliacon for Ireland and a blessing from God 
upon y« forces that are designed thither ; the Lord in mercy goe 
along with them, and blesse and prosper them ; I expect that 
Dublin should become a prey to the enemie ; the Lord alone is 
able to prevent it ; we spent from three of y* clocke untill sun 
downe at the priorie, in continuing the exercise ; the Lord re- 
member us for good for his owne names sake. 

Aug. 6. This weeke I went about to gather up some tithes ; I find mony 
scarce. 

Aug. 14. Sometime reported that Dublin was lost, sometime that a part 
of Ormonds army was routed, 100^', and sometimes thousands 
slaine. 
Sarah This day wee perfected the agreem* between John Bearman and 

Hausb. my selfe ; I payd him all his money, viz. 21/. lOs.; he bated me 5s. 
land, jj^ regard the lords rent was more y° wee supposed. 

Aug. 19. A weeke of harvest, come abated in price a litle. The glorious 
successe in Ireland * y* next day after the publicke fast ; the first 
rumo' I heard of it was August 14, in the morning. 

Aug. 29. This day a P. Th : for the great victory over Ormond. 

Sept. 7. M" Crane gave mee a payre of gloves which she ought me 
about a wager when her housband was prisoner with the Cavaliers. 

Sept. 10. I was with M*^ Harlakenden ; his crop of hops wonderfull small ; 

1 Gardiner, Commonwealth and Protectorate^ i, no, in. 

'Jones had defeated Ormond at Rathmines on August 2nd. *'In the city 
wagers were freely offered that Dublin had already surrendered at the 
enormous odds of ;f loo to 5/-." Cromwell only heard the news on August 12th. 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 69 

much about 800 weight upon twentie acres ; my freinds have 
given mee enough for my use. 

This day I went to visitt M*" Jacob; heard of some stirre at Sept. 11. 
Oxford by the regiment their upon the levelling score. * 

The disturbances at Oxford over in a good season and by a very Sept. 16. 
finger of God ; the rate of things continueth dearer and is likely 
to encrease. 

At night begun to study a litle before supper, I begun with Oct. 3. 

the first part of the Ecclesiastical history of the Magdeburgensis. * Magd.Cent. 

1. lib. 1. 

Colum.372. 

I begun about the begining of ys month to reade Senertus " Senerti. 
institucons in a large 8**. smal print ; this I did in the day time. ^"st. 

This day I finisht Josephus, of the antiquities of the Jewes, n^i' 
whereof I read a great part, especially where the history of ^' 
y® scripture is silent & I intend to read the residue of his booke. 

This weeke all things very deare, wheate. 8s. 6d, rye 6s. Oct. 7. 
barley 5s, a bushel, cheese 4d, ob, butter 7d. ob the pound. 

The contry full of reports of Cromwells route in Ireland, but Oct. 28. 
its hoped y' is no truth therein. 

My boy is now lively, somewhat fuller of spirit, of a good Nov. 1. 
memory, a good speller, apt to learne, and attaine the hardest Thomas, 
words in his bible or accidence in which he reads. This day we 
kept a publicke thanksgiving for the successe against Tredah, and 
before we heard the great newes of the taking Wexford, and 
putting the garrison, and some say the inhabitants, to the sword. 

Y® times were wonderfuU hard, wheate at above 9s. and rye Nov. 25. 

^ "On Sept. 8 the garrison called on its officers to join in demanding a free 
parliament according to the Agreement of the People.... Failing to elicit a 
satisfactory response, they seized New College where the Magazine was stored 
and placed their officers under arrest." (Gardiner, Commonwealth and Protect- 
orate, i, 182.) 

' An ecclesiastical history of the first 1300 years of the Christian Era, in which 
the records of each century occupy a volume. 

' Daniel Senertus, 1572- 1637. He introduced the study of Chemistry at 
Wittenberg. He was accused of blasphemy and impiety on the ground that 
he taught that the souls of beasts were not material. 



70 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

■ 

about 75. a bushell : God was good to mee in my sonne Thomas 
who learned well, and I wish if ever he bee a man he would 
remember I undertooke the teaching the schoole at this time 
cheifely for his sake, among the boyes, though my highest aime 
was to doe good while I live ; God was mercifull to mee in giving 
mee and my deare wife bowells towards the poore ; we begun 
this weeke to fast our selves a meale or 2 in a weeke, and give 
away a meales provision in meate, broth, x>r money to the poore. 
The times were very sad in England so that men durst not travell, 
and indeed rich men were afrayd to lye in their houses, robbers 
were so many and bold ; men knew not how to carry moneyes, 
and many gentlemens houses were sett upon and pilfered : the 
affayres of Ireland went well ; the hand of God was notable, that 
when our interest was lowe their, then y* natural Irish, and the 
meere popish party joyned not with Ormond but rather assisted us; * 
but seing no hope from us, when Ormond was lowe, and our forces 
begun to prosper, then Oneale and his party fell in with Ormond. 
Dec. 1. to 16. This time all things were wonderfuU deare, wheate 9s. malt 4s. 
8rf, rye 7s. 6d^ oatemeale 8s, per bushel, and cheese 4rf. ob ; all 
things deare, yett the season was indifferent warme and drye ; 
beggars many, givers few. Lord of thy bounty provide for the 
poore ; I constrayned my selfe to doe more then ordinary for our 
* poore ; it is better to give then to receive ; and yett poore people 
were nev' more regardles of God then now adayes. 
Dec. 18. This day I rid to Witham, and 19, to Chelmsford, where I 
subscribed the Engagement, the first in y« County of Ministers and 
y* 13th man of y* County. I subscribed the Engagement * as I 
considered it stood with y« Coven* while y* gov'ment actually 
stood establisht ; and my faithfulnes is not to create any troubles, 
but seeke y* good of y« Commonwealth. 

^ For the convention arranged between Monk and O'Neill, see Gardiner, 
Commonwealth and Protectorate i, 87, 88, etc. 

' "I do declare and promise that I will be true and faithful to the Common- 
wealth of England as the same is now established, without a King or House of 
Lords." (Gardiner, Commonwealth & Protectorate^ i, 196). All Members of 
Parliament and officials generally were ordered on Oct. 11 to sign this. 



RALPH JOSSELIN^S DIARY 71 

M' Harlakenden troubled at the greatnes of his sons expenses at Jan. 9. 
Cambridge, I writt to M' Richard, to be frugall of his father^ 
purse, & to improve his time for learning & pietie, God blesse my 
advice to him. 

This day I began to teach the schoUers for M*" Harrington. Jan. 10. 

Jan : 4 : 1649 : y' was much mischeife done at London by Jan. 13. 
blowing up divers barrels of powder, which blew up divers houses, 
and persons ; it was thought neare all lOO* ; the fluxe is much in 
London, and in some parts of this kingdom ; it hath cutt downe 
many of the army in Ireland. 

This day M"^ Wade of Halsted sent mee a dozen of candle, and Jan. 15. 
M' Hickford a sugar loafe, a liberall & bounteous guift. M" Church 
gave mee 5s. 

Ffeares and jealousies of troubles from among o' selves by reason Jan. 24. 
of y^ ingagement, and other sad affaires among o' selves ended the 
yeare. 

Jan ; 25 : 1649 : an : aetatis 34. 

I was sensible it entred mee into a new yeare, and I eyed God Jan. 25. 
in perticular for his presence with mee. 

M" Church invited us to supper, where wee were kindely ffeb. 6. 
entertaind: Gdee * Mathew sent us a lovely breast of veale; this love 
and kindnes is from God ; at night my right side aked very much. 

Made an end with my Tenant ; he is to plowe no more than ffeb. 25. 
what is plowed ; he is not to medle with my wood, and to lay 
8 load dung on the mowing peice, and to quit the farme at 
Michaelmas, 1651. 

Gods hand was towards us for good in our children. Maries March. 1. 
eyes mended somewhat, & so did little Ralphs ; his glisters ' did 
him good, and the best outward meanes were rose oyntment & 
plantayne water steeped with white sugar candie ; this day my 
Sonne Thomas began to learne his accidence by heart as wee say, 
memoriter ; he is now 6 yeares old and about two months. 

* i. e. * Goody '. 

* Poultices. 



72 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

March, 2. Reviewed what I owe, and I perceive all my debts, one and 
debts, other, amount to somewhat above 40/. and I have so much and 

more owing mee this present day. 
March. 15. This day, I was warned to appear at Westminster die 20^'*. 
March. 17. I received 61. of my Committee money * from Chelmsford, and a 

botle of sacke from London, from M' Linch. 
March. 18. The subcomittee voted mee 43/. per annum augmentacon. 
March. 23. Gave over teaching the schoole for present. 

1650. Rid to Braintree ; Coll. Cooke promised to doe for mee what he 

March. 26. could in the matter of the schoole ; returnd safe praise to God ; 

heard when I came home that y® schoole was disposed. I goe 

about this whole businesse with submission to Gods providence, 

which I conceive hath layd it out for mee. I payd a considerable 

debt this day. 
March. 27. Cast up my debts this day and they are 45/. : Id, including 
debts. 23/. 12s. which I shall owe to M' Haukesbee, and now my estate is 

as foUoweth. 

Value of my estate, which God hath given mee. 
Land : Mallories part BoUinhatch 



2 closes in Colne 



[ 27/. per annuih 

Moneyes in Major Haines hand to bee | - . 
payd to M' John Littell. J 

My debts are much about 10/. more than my moneyes that are 
owing unto mee ; this increase is from Gods goodnes, and provi- 
dence towards mee. 
March. 27. Perfected an agreement with Goodman Paine ; he is to have y® 
close at y° old rent 3/. per annum until Michaelmas in 1651 ; he is 
to lay on 80 load of dung, and sowe it with barley this yeare, and 
with oates the next, and when either of his crops of corne are 
taken of, then am I to have the pasture, and the layer of my catle 
in it for the winters. 
April. 11. This day I tooke y* surrender of Sawyers from M' W*" Haukes- 
' bee to y*^ use of my daughter Mary Josselin, and her heyres for 

* The Committee for plundered ministers, vide Jan. 17-1650. 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 73 

ever ; the purchase cost mee 50/., which I fully paid to him & 
received an acquittance from him for it, and bond to make it 
good. 

Sent a letter to Major Haines to send into New England, con- April. 16. 
taining three sheets in my small hand, being a relation of affaires 
foreigne, and domestique from y* rendicon of Colchester untill 
Aprill. 16. 1650, this present day. 

Bee cautious of speaking to M' Harlakenden in the point of his April. 20. 
royaltie, for being intent on the profBts of them, he takes it ill, as 
I found this day, which I hope shall learne mee some prudence in 
the world. I would willingly bee a gainer by other mens 
tempers. 

Wee made our rate this day; I tooke it kindly from the townesmen, April. 22. 
who did not raise my rate upon the close I hold in my owne hands. 

It rained a most sweete showre ; God is opening his hand to fill April. 23. 
us with his bounty. M'^ Harlakenden and I had great discourse 
about our Lords rent ; I find & he acknowledges by comparing Lords 
the copies, and the rentalls, that IO5 for the Aldarcar * part of '"C'^*- 
Oxenfen is sett on my head, and Kents, and 75. for Mills ' fen &c. 
is sett now on Osbomes, and Tills head ; he was somewhat moved; 
I blesse God who gave me a patient command of my selfe. 

This day M*" Harrington pd mee in 7/, for keeping the schoole, 
from Jan. to March 25. 1650 ; he promise th to dischardge all to 
mee, and the moneyes I am out, when he sendeth for his sonnes 
things ; the matter of the schoole in a great uncertainty. 

Hay was very scarce and deare, at 3s. and 3s, ^d. per hundred April. 25. 
weight. 

My tenant this day at Mallories paid mee 61. 10s for Lady rent, April. 27. 
I sett of 10s. for taxes, forgave him ISd, w*^^ was his part of them. 

This day M™ Mary Church made a disposall of her estate, which May. 1 7. 
amounts to 21/. per annum in land, the trust whereof, shee layed 
on mee, a burthen heavy but I durst not refuse it, in regard 
providence lead mee to it. 

My litle Mary very weake, wee feared shee was drawing on ; May. 22. 

' Many of these old names still persist down to the present day, e. g., 
Aldercar, Mills Farm, Dagnall, Mallories, Hobstevens. 



74 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

feare came on my heart very much, but shee is not mine, but the 
LordSf and shee is not too good for her father ; shee was tender of 
her mother, thankefull, mindefull of God, in her extremity, shee 
would cry out, " poore I, poore I. " 

May. 25. Hopes of Maries life especially towards night, but it was onely 
hopes ; God is her life, shee shall enjoy it in heaven, not here ; 
Ralph ill. 

May. 26. This morning all o' hopes of Maries life were gone; to the Lord 
I have resigned her and with him I leave her, to receive her into 
his everlasting armes, when he seeth best ; shee rests free from 
much paine, wee hope, in regard shee maketh no dolour ; the 
Lord makes us willing shee should bee out of her paine ; my litle 
Sonne in all peoples eyes is a dying child, Lord thy will bee done ; 
thou art better to mee then sonnes and daughters, though I value 
them above gold & Jewells. 

May. 27. This day a quarter past two in y* afternoone my Mary fell 
asleepe in the Lord ; her soule past into that rest where the body 
of Jesus, and y* soules of the s*" are ; shee was 8 yeares and 45 
dayes old when shee dyed ; my soule had aboundant cause to 
blesse God for her, who was our first fruites, and those God would 
have offered to him, and this I freely resigned up to him ; it was a 
pretious child, a bundle of myrrhe, a bundle of sweetnes ; shee 
was a child of ten thousand, full of wisedome, womanlike gravity, 
knowledge, sweet expressions of God, apt in her learning, tender 
hearted & loving, an obedient child to us ; it was free from the 
rudenesse of litle children, it was to us as a boxe of sweet ointment, 
which now its broken smells more deliciously then it did before ; 
Lord I rejoyce I had such a present for thee ; it was patient in the 
sicknesse, thankefull to admiracon, it lived desired and dyed 
lamented, thy memory is and will bee sweete unto mee. 

May. 28. This day my deare Mary was buried in Earles Colne church by 
the 2 uppermost seats ; shee was accompanyed thither with most 
of the Towne ; M" Margaret Harlakenden, & M" Mabel Elliston layd 
her in grave, those two and M" Jane Church, & my sister carryed 
her in y' hands to y* grave ; I kist her lips last, & carefully laid up 
that body, y® soule being with Jesus, it rests y' till y*' Resurrection. 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 75 

Called up this morning to see my deare freind M" Mary Church, June. 2. 
who departed to an eternall rest and Sabbath about 9 of the 
clocke ; my deare Ralph very ill, we cannot long enjoy him ; the 
Lord wash his nature from his filth, and defilement, & doe him 
good. My deare Ralph before midnight fell asleepe whose body 
Jesus shall awaken ; his life was continuall sorrow and trouble ; 
happy he who is at rest in the Lord ; my deare wife ill as if she 
would have dyed. 

This day my deare freind M" Mary Church, and my sweete June. 4. 
Ralph were buried togither in the church ; I preached her funerall 
on Mathew 25, 34 verse ; God hath taken from mee a choyce 
speciall freind. In some respect I see great mercy therein, for 
Satan lieth in waite to corrupt our affections & that mine were not 
was Gods aboundant grace, who keepes mee, that, though I fall, 
yett I am not utterly cast downe. 

When M" Mary dyed, my heart trembled, and was perplexed in 
the dealings of the Lord so sadly with us, and desiring God not to 
proceed on against us with his darts and arrows ; looking backe 
into my wayes, and observing why God hath thus dealt with mee, 
the Lord followed mee with that sin no more, ** lest a worse thing 
happen unto thee;" and the intimacon of God was he would proceed 
no farther against mee or mine, and he would assist mee with his 
grace if I clave to him with a full purpose of heart, which I 
resolve ; oh my God lielpe mee ! oh my God faile mee not ! for 
in thee doe I put my trust. 

M" Church this day delivered unto mee the will of M" Mary June. 6. 
deceasd ; many suppose shee hath given mee all her land, others 
shee hath given mee nothing, but what is done is Gods providence : 
lett Harris y« house at Coggeshall till Michaelmas, the first tenant 
that I agreed withall. 

In the affaire of M" Mary their are divers discourses, but the June. 9. 
uprightnes of my heart therein affords through God peace to mee, 
and I trust will more & more ; others esteeme I shall loose very 
much by it. 

Began to teach the schoole ; 8 children came, but none of their June. 10. 
parents. Schoole. 



76 RALPH JOSSELIN^S DIARY 

June. 19. Had some discourse with M*^ Harlakenden about M" Maries 
businesse ; wee agreed very lovingly in the value of the land, 
M" Marys part, 61. per annum, the other at 10/. per annum : the 
free at 5/. per annum : he sett both the fines at 20/., he acknow- 
ledged they were too hard. 

June. 23. I find I goe through y* matter of y* schoole without any 
extraordinary burthen ; y* times of schoole I make my times of 
studdy, Y« Lord was good to mee in the Sabbath, in y® word 
preacht and opened ; y* unreverent carriage of divers in sitting 
with y"^ hatts on when the psalme is singing is strange to mee. 

June. 24. This morning I bought Smiths cow ; her price was 61. 10s. Od. 
I also bought of him the pasture of Dagnall till Michaelmas for 
31. 10s. ; he is to pay me the tith which I told him of, and to pay 
all towne taxes untill Michaelmas ; I am to enter on them on 
Wednesday. I borrowed the mony of Goodwife Math : 40s. 
I now paid him in hand : if I buy cowes I am to putt them now 
on the ground : the Lord my God give a blessing unto mee 
herein. 

June. 25. Went to Messing, received 10s. of Allhayes, 7s. 6d. of Medcalfe, 
lis. 8t/. of Bridge Shaw, promiseth his August: 1. Y' is some 
improvem* to bee made towards our repayres, which will cost 
nigh 10/.; this night wee begun to milke our cow bought of 
Smith. God good in my iorney, I went 18 miles, spent 6^/. 

June. 27. This day I fetcht a cow from Westney's of Halstead, it cost 
61. 5s ; I had great trouble in y* cowes unquietnes ; God enters mee 
into many of my affayres with trouble. I p** Smith 8/. y* residue 
of his bargaine ; I lent Polly 20s. ; I receivd in 30s. from my 
schoole rents. 

June. 28. Heard Huggins was undone; care taken about my rent in seizing 
the crop ; Hedge bad mee 18/. per annum. & Dawkin 19/.; receivd 
from Overell 4/. 17s. 6d. rent ; and the gurney (sic) booke from 
M' Harrington. 

June. 30. Heard this weeke of y* consuming plague in Ireland. Cromwell 
is made Gen : ffairfax hath layd downe the commission. 

July. 7. God afflicts Ireland with the plague most sadly, and now 
Scotland and wee are likely to engage into bloud ; arise and save 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 77 

us, for in thee we trust, and doe us good for thy most holy name 
sake wee entreate thee ! 

Proved M" Maries will at Kelvedon, and returned safe; 10, In'd July. 9. 
3 jaggs of hay from my vicaridge close ; I had about 45c/. of very 
good hay. Die 11, I lett my farme at Ardleigh to Hedge for 19/. 
per annum for 3 yeare ; one Heckford undertakes y® rent for y* 
3 yeareS. 

Rid to Colchester, dined with y* Commissioners that were y"^ July. 13. 
about the livings of the ministers. 

The Publike Courts for o' Manors were kept, in which I was July.23.24. 
admitted in reversion to all the land of M™ Mary Church, and my 
sonn Tho : to the land of M' W ; Haukesbee. 

M' Bearman came, and I was admitted to both the parcells of July. 25. 
his wives land, being now tenant of both manors ; this is not of 
my selfe, but it is y* Lords blessing upon mee ; as a pricke in y® 
flesh I am troubled with rheumes, my goomes swelling. 

Pub : day of Thanksgiving for the route and slaughter of the July. 26. 
popish Irish army under Cloghers * command, which I kept with 
rejoycing in God, who hath given them bloud to drinke, who had 
shed y' selves so much. 

This day I payd M" Church her 20/., so I have now p*^ her 50/. July. 27. 
and 5/. to y* poore, and other charges layd out in money, 1/. 19s. 6d.; 
so in all I have layd out 56/. 19s. 6d, this day on M" Maries estate. 

Y** day reports common all lost in Ireland, Cromwell beaten, July. 31. 
tumults at London ; but their was no truth y' in. 

Heard that y* Scots were routed and thousands slaine. * Aug. 2. 

Heard reports of great successe in Scotland. Aug. 21. 

Resolved henceforwards w* soever money comes in on guifts, 
or curtesies, all incomes, and receipts on the schoole besides the 
rents, and whatsoever is saved by preaching at any places, shall 
bee layd out in bookes. 

P^ : lis. 3d. for driving my fetherbeds & bolsters ; wee made us Aug. 29. 
a very excellent downe bed. I payd M' Harrington. 1/. 5s.; I owe 
him now 2/. 10s. 

' Macmahon^ Bishop of Clogher. 

' Scotch repulsed at Musselburgh : the number of the slain is exaggerated. 



78 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

Sept. 2. Rid to Colchester ; at y' feast and banquetts ; when I returned 
home, I found the small pox at Gdman Abbotts & Burtons. 

Sept. 3. This day heard of y* taking Redhouse in Scotland : the Lord 
give a good issue to that dangerous affaire. Receivd a bushel of 
good new wheate at 5s. ^d. toUfree, a comfortable abatem* from 
lOs. & lis.; the Lord make us thankefull. 

Sept. 6. This day my cowes were driven away from Smiths from off his 
ground with his, for rent by his landlady. I apprehended it might 
have beene some trouble to mee ; I followed after them, overtooke 
them, and had my cowes delivered quietly to mee. 

Sept. 8. The Scottish affaire very difficult ; give a good issue unto it 
for thy glory & peoples good, wee entreate thee ; its not so 
much layd to heart as formerly ; heard of the route of the 
Scotch army, that 4000 were slaine * 10000 prisoners, 22 peices of 
ordnance taken, and this done Septemb. 3 ; newes London die. 7**. ; 
this was reported to mee just when I came downe out of pulpitt. 

Sept. 1 5. The small pox proceeded no farther this weeke. This weeke 
wee returned thankes to God for our Irish victories ; the Scots 
victory true ; wee heard of the wellfare of Major Haynes after 
o' victory, for which the Lord bee praised ; this weeke the 
Lady Elizabeth second daughter of y* King dyed in the He of 
Wight whither shee and her brother w^re sent ; this is the first of 
them that fell by the hand of God in all thes troubles ; y' are 
5 more of them still living, 3 sons & 2 daughters. 

Sept. 22. The season is very sad in wet, hinders seed time, raiseth corne 
already, rotteth o"* muttons. 

Sept. 26. My schoole lands ordered to pay taxes which will bee 7/. a 
yeare to my hindrance. 

Oct. 2. The engagem* is prest in Cambridge to out many honest men, 
and to admitt divers young & rude blades because engagers. 

Oct. 8. A day of thanks for the great victory in Scotland. 

Oct. 23. The engagement outs many deserving men from y* fellowships ; 
its thought y' will fall a sad blowe upon the ministry, the univers- 
ities and y' meanes ; the report is that one moved whether y' 

* Gardiner says 3,000. 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 79 

should bee any standing ministry in England, but that is somewhat 
too much yett for this early day. 

Received my tith from Goodman Abbott, very lovingly & quietly Oct. 28. 
for which I blesse my God. 

Pose, die. 8, 9, 10. I had a pose, some litle stuffings in my head Nov. 
and chest, and on the 13th my gummes swelled as usually. I am 
advised to take 5 pils sine quibus esse nolo. 

Writt and sent by M' Harlakenden a lattin letter to D' Wright, Nov. 11. 
in humble thanks for conferring the schoole upon mee. 

God taketh away our enemies abroad viz the Prince of Orange ' Nov. 17. 
which is a great worke as things stood there and here. 

Warrants out to raise the horse & foote in o' County, because Dec. 3. 
of y® troubles in Norfolke * ; this matter is in the darke to us 
as yett, though talkt of divers dayes ; God I trust will give a good 
issue hereunto ; gave in a perticular of my schoole rents as they 
were Septemb. 29. 1650. viz. 62/. 3s. 4^. yearly; its pretended to ease 
us of o' assessments, which if so, I shall bee glad, but I duobt not. 

In the morning called up, and acquainted by M"^ Harlakenden Dec. 4. 

who was sent for to Chelmsford, that the Norfolke businesse was 

somewhat allayed, it being only an attempt of a few mad blades 

to proclaim the King ; and this proved true, God shewing us the 

rod, and telling us what might have been done, but not letting 

mans rage prevaile to doe us y* least hurt. 

Begun to peruse the Revelacon, and .Brightman upon it. Dec. 9. 

Revelacon 
Brightman 

Heard this morning as if Carr and his Scotch forces were Dec. 12. 
routed by o' horse. * 

Heard farther good newes out of Scotland o' army getting Dec. 17. 
health, y* enemies now sickening, y' divisions still confirming me 
God is casting downe princes and that family in perticular, that 
he shall not be crowned, nor reigne long their, but die an 
untimely death to himselfe, but in good time for his kingdomes. 

' Died October 27 of small-pox. 

' A Royalist outbreak ; the leaders lost their lives on the gallows. 

' Gardiner, Commonwealth ami Protectorate^ 381, 382. 



80 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

Dec. 23. This day sealed a lease of Pickstones to y*^ widdow Overral for 
221. per annum ; y^ first lease I sealed of the schoole lands. 
24. p** M' Harlakenden my fine for M" Maries land viz. 12/.; y« 
times are hard ; tis a great mercy tl^at in these declining dayes I 
am able to pay any of my debts. 

Dec. 29. Still y* Lord keepes us from y® small^pox, w*'^ continueth still in 
some families. 

Dec. 31. This day heard y^ Edinburgh Castlewgis surrendered Decemb. 24 
past to General Cromwell ; nothing^n withstand Gods purpose, 
nor hinder that which he intendeth to accomplish ; this castle was 
counted invincible ; it endured about 15 weekes seidge. 

Jan. 1. This day sett of to M*^ Richard Harlakenden, his q***". 3/. 15s. and 
p* in money 4/. 15s. in all 8/. 10s. towards the bond of 25/. due to 
him Jan : 27 or 28 next ; now my roll-x>f debts is 77/. 18s. 0^. 

Jan. 4. Heard for certaine of y* spoiling P. Ruperts fleete upon y® Coast 
of Spaine Nov : last * ; y* Spanish shew great affection to o*" 
Commonwealth * ; y* fifrench since gave y* Spaniard a great over- 
throw at Rhetel * neare Mouron. Phihp one of y* Q of Bohemia's 
sons slaine y'. 

Jan. 9. Mett at Goodman Matthewes to endeavour to unite so as to 
receive y* sacrament of the Lords supper ; divers willing. 

Jan. 13. The reports from Ireland as if they intended a generall rising of 
all y* Irish to destroy the English, and also from Scotland ; y' 
King crowned, * they would all rise, and many in England, to 
destroy this interest. 

Jan. 17. My deare freind M"^ W. Harlakenden had an invitacon from 
Cromwell to take an imployment with him in y* army. 

Jan. 19. This weeke y* L** Good to mee and mine in o' health, my sonne 
recoverd from his ague, my wife this day better y** former, blessed 
bee my good God the Lord good especially in giving me a spirit 
more free from annoyances of Sathan, I having been a through - 

' " The destruction of Rupert's fleet by Blake was almost complete." (Gardiner, 
Commonwealth & Protectorate^ i, 338.) 
' Spain recognised the Commonwealth December 26. 
' Turenne and the Spaniards defeated by Mazarin. 
* Charles II. had been crowned at Scone. 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 81 

fare for many vile uncleane, worldly thoughts, oh deliver mee for 
thy goodnes sake. 

Now I come to review this last yeare of my dayes past viz 34, 
and I find the Lord hath made good the intimation that he sett 
upon my heart to pro\'ide for mee for my livelyhood : he hath in 
mercy given mee an indifferent proportion of meanes from my 
people : a large supply from the Com® for plundered Ministers, 
and also somewhat from the Com® of the County towards my 
losses by Goring, and the death of my deare ffreind M" Mary 
Church occasioned her to entrust mee with her estate, w*^^ I 
question will be no hindrance to mee, who also gave my daughter 
Jane one hundred pounds, and this yeare also God gave mee 
Earles Colne schoole. The Lord hath beene good to mee in my 
health, not so much subject to rheumes and colds, my navel though 
sometimes moist, yett not sore; it drieth of it selfe so as I have not 
dressed it for about 4 months, neither have I beene much troubled 
with my issue in the summer as formerly, nor seene it as yet this 
winter; but in these mercies I have found chastisement, the death 
of my deare Mary & Ralph, but they were not mine but the 
Lords, and M" Mary Church all togither in the space of 7 dayes ; 
and yett this mingled with mercy, in the preserving my two that 
yett live, and giving mee hopes of another seed by my deare wife. 

O' publicke affaires ended with peace at home, the nations Jan. 24. 
abroad fearing us ; only the Scots having crowned their King, 
prepare great armies to invade us. 

The summer past y' was a great earthquake in Archipelago, 
Candia, and reported by M" King an earthquake for a short time 
at Geddington in Northamptonshire where shee was : great 
inundacons in fHanders, and of y* Seyne by Paris doing great 
hurt ; these signes portend something. 

35 Yeare of my age. 1650. 

Sensible it entred mee into my 35 yeare. Lord bee with mee in Jan. 25. 
y® same. 

This day preacht in order to the sacrament ; this day I sayd Jan. 26. 

G 



82 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

freely clearly as seing it, that one of the bitterest pangs of Englands 
travaile was yett to come, in this latter push of the Scots troubles, 
and stirrings within our selves. 

Jan. 29. Heard from M' Clopton as if my 40/. per annum were ordered 
by y* Com®, and that he had an order to receive 30/. upon which 
mony is expected very shortly. 

Jan. 30. A day of publike thanks for divers successes in Scotland and at 
sea. I apprehend a great noise of trouble over England, and a 
great sound of praises of y® saints who shall be delivered from it. 

Feb. 9. Y' are expectacons of some bustles in Ireland & Scotland; ff ranee 
is tampering about Mazarine. * 

The Lord was good to mee in y® word & worke of the day ; the 
next weeke I appointed two meetings to receive y* names of 
persons y* intend to receive y® sacrament togither, and to receive 
informacon concerning y' fitnesse^to joyne in y* ordinance ; the 
lords presence bee with us y' in for good. 

Feb. n. Mett at my house as appointed ; Gods providence good to us in 
it, which I desire never to forgett. 

Feb. 23. This week paste y* Lord was good to us in o' peace, plenty, 
health, and in the meeting of both sacraments this day, which had 
not for neare 9 yeares. 
Lords This day after the humiliacon at my house wherein Gods pre- 

Supper. sence was much, M' Harlakenden propounded if christians would, 
wee might proceed to administer the Lords supper, which I 
entertained with joye, and so did divers ; twas propounded to 
divers christians about us, but wee had no helpe nor joyning from 
them but from W"* Cowell ; but meeting privately about it, wee 
were still letted, but God gave us a resolucon to goe on ; wherfore 
wee desired Mole y* hindred, if he would not helpe to stand of 
and not hinder, who dissented, and reckoned no pastors now in 
the earth, as wee could gather, disowned baptisme ; I declared if 
men did not in some measure owne all ordinances, I could not 
owne y" in this : so now wee resolved on the worke how few so 
ever would joyne, and to trust God with y* same, & to give 

* Mazarin had returned to France from Briihl in Cologne, whither he had 
retired in the previous year. His return had roused much popular feeling. 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 83 

publike notice to prevent offence, and yett to admitt none but 
such as in charity wee reckon to be disciples. Jan : 30, wee 
mett at priory ; divers presd y* persons must make out a worke of 
^ true grace on y' hearts in order to fellowship & this ordinance ; 
I was ill with y^ toothake, yett I could not but speake, and 
turned them to all places in y^ Acts, and shewed that beleeving 
admitted into Communion, and none rejected that professed faith, 
and then if y' lives were not scandalous y^ wee could not turne 
away from them in this ordinance ; this gave good satisfaction to 
our company, wee went on, appointed two meetings at my house 
to take names and admitt by joynt consent, ffeb. 11, was y^ 
first ; when divers came y* wee could not comfortably joyne with, 
my heart quakt and our company feared ; before I did any thing, 
I sought God in private, and he sweetly answerd mee " who art 
thou that art afraid of a man, and fearest not mee, " which came 
with life, & brought of my heart upon it ; I spake as God enabled 
•mee, y^ wee should search peoples knowledge and admonish them 
in point of scandall, and M*" Harlakenden agreed with mee; then 
praying I dismissed y* company, and gave a liberty to go forth, 
and bade our company give in y' names ; most went, few gave in 
y' names : Thursday came Feb. 13. when stranger faces appeard. 
I sought God, he answerd not ; I was resolved to rest on his 
former answer ; I sought again, and he answerd, " I will never 
faile y® nor forsake y*, '* which word came with power, and 
commanded my heart. I admonisht divers, admitted others with 
consent ; divers christians hung backe. Wee mett Feb. 20, in a 
day of humiliacon at priory, and y' God was on o' hearts and o*^ 
company gave up themselves to this worke, about 34. After y^ 
ordinance was done, and y® collection for y^ poore, y* rest 
withdrew, wee stayed, & proposed whether any had any thing 
agst another y^ wee might joyne as one bread ; wee gatherd for 
bread & wine, and proceeded Feb. 23 to celebrate y* ordinance. 

Wee all sat round and neare y* table ; y* bread was broken not 
cutt in blessing it ; y* Lord pourd out a spirit of mourning over 
Christ crucified on me and most of y® company, and my soule 
eyed him more y° ever, and God was sweete to mee in y worke. 



84 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

No vaine thoughts but wholly intent on y® worke ; no difficulty 
among o*" selves, a savor on my spirit, but not y* healing to my 
soule at present I desired. 

Received an account from many of o' society of the sweete and 
comfortable presence of God with them, the livelynesse of the 
actions in breaking the bread, and in powring out the wine ; the 
Lords name have the glory of all. 
March. 1. Y® season cold and very sad, worke scarce, the poore in a sad 
condicon, and its feared it will bee farre worse with the spinner. ' 
March. 2. The season cold, and things hard, price of come and commodi- 
ties rise, and litle or no worke ; the worke at present staid 
in Scotland ; all things for present quiet in England blessed bee 
his name. 
March. 5. I bought t\vo cowes of Day at Halsted, & brought them home 
this day ; they with y' calves cost mee 10/. 15s, the Lord prosper 
them with mee. 
March. 9. The small pox is in 6 families. Lord still preserve mine. 

March. 16. Three married women died out of one house of y® small poxe ; 
blessed bee God that hath kept mee and mine. The state seeme 
to act towards banking meanes for ministers and schooles, which 
what it may prove towards mee I knowe not, but to my God I 
committ my selfe & wayes, who hath and will provide for mee. 

March. 17. Ardleigh taxes at 32s. 7d, ob. ; repayres cost mee, 1/. 10s. Od. 
w^^ I allowed, this day I payd M' Har : 16s. for use of his bond 
on which I owe 10/. I payd R. Johnson 3/. ; I owe him 8/. 

March. 18. Brownebacke calved, y* first of creatures y^ brought us young ; 
God blesse o' stocke. 

March. 22. Reported y^ Cromwell was dead, the Lord liveth, and reigneth, 
and dependeth not on any instruments for his worke ; at night 
our newes came, and Major Haynes letter of 8 of March which 
s^ the Gen. was sicke and could not bee spoken with. 

March. 23. M' Owen * hath a place of great proffit given him, vz Deane 

' The weavers, etc., in Colchester & the neighbourhood. 

' " As minister of Coggeshall, he attracted the notice of Fairfax on his way to 
the siege of Colchester, and by Fairfax he was carried to London, when he was 
selected for the arduous duly of preaching before Parliament on the day after 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 85 

of Christ-church ; 18 com™ are gone downe to order y« affaires of 
y® army in the unfitnes of y® generall to doe it. 

Bought two peices timber of M' Jacobs bayly at 6s. 6c/. March. 24. 

Sett Day of Halsted a price of my farm called Mallories, viz 1651. 
245/. I am very indifferent to sell or not ; Lord direct me in March. 25. 
all my outward affaires for y« best ; the small pox appeared 
anew in 4 families more, two neare us. Wee lost in attempts on a 
castle in Scotland 180 men as its said. 

Y® value of my outward estate which God hath given mee. March. 29. 

Imprimis land as formerly Malleries | ^^. 

Bollinhatch. 2 closes Colne J 

In M' John Litles hand money as was | -^, ^ 

formerly mentiond. ^ ^"^' "' 

This yeare I have p** y* fines for my 

closes at 4/. ; built and layd out for 

y** schoole about. 26/. 
I have in money on M" Maries land 

and y* improvem* of it March. 25. [• 81/. 0. 0. 

1651. past, 
stocke, 5 cowes at 5/. round, my nagge, | ^^ 

3/,. my hogges and hay, 4/. J 

I was then in debt 45/.; now I am about 70/., w^** is 25/. more 
than last yeare, which taken out of my stocke y' remayneth 7/. 
w*'** added to 81, is 88. & so much estate is betterd blessed bee my 
God ; but I hope my soule hath gained infinitely from God whom 
I praise for all. 

the execution of the King ' Sir, ' said Cromwell, tapping the preacher on 

the shoulder, when he next met him at Fairfax's house, ' you are the person I 
must be acquainted with. ' Taking him aside, Cromwell insisted on carrying 
him as his chaplain to Ireland. In 165 1 Parliament, doubtless at Cromwell's 
instigation, named Owen Dean of Christ Church in succession to Reynolds, 

who had refused to take the engagement Some little time afterwards he 

appointed him to the Vice-Chancellorship, thus committing the Puritan reorganis- 
ation of the University into his hands." (Commonwealth and Protectorate^ 
ii, 35. etc.) 



86 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

April. 1. Mett to choose officers ; wee agreed not ; most scurrilously 
abused by old W° Adam for dawbing with untempered mortar, 
for Kendalls bond, for going to Halsted for 20s. per day. 

April. 2. Heard of the relapse of Cromwell, the Lord raise him up. Y' are 
2 dead now in the towne of the small pox. 

April. 3. Mett, cast up the ov'seers accounts ; it amounts unto 14 quarters 
within a litle ; wee chose our officers without any trbuble, and did 
our business with as much peace and ease as might bee. 

April. 6. Cromwell well recoverd ; the boates come to y* ffirth upon w^** 
wee expect action. 

April. 9. This day was goodwife Day with mee ; I perceive shee is re- 
solved to give mee my price for my farme of Mallories, and I 
intend to lett it goe. 

April. 13. The Lords hand is abated in the distempers of y* small pox ; 
in the Towne they are up and well in all families except two. Wee 
gave over our jangling chiming as they call it. 

April. 14. The small pox in a family upland ; feared y* Wid. Rugles will 
have it. 

April. 20. Many suppose our Commonwealth lost. Spaine & ffrance & 
Holland against us. Ireland & Scotland heavy worke, & not to 
bee effected ; y* English divided, and worne out with taxes and 
burthens, the merchants trade even ruined, and so all tending 
to poverty ; but if y® worke be Gods, y"" is enough in his arme 
to effect the same, and up to him his people looke to bee y' 
salvation. 

April. 27. Great buzzines as if the D. of Lorraine * would undertake y® 
protection of the Irish ; great feares and jealousies are abroad and 
among men. 

April. 30. This day I surrendered Mallories and the appurtenances to Day 
of Halsted and his daughter. I received 193/. downe and bond for 
50/. more ; they are to pay mee 31. more very shortly ; y® surrender 
in M' Littells hand ; they are to abate y® 14s. for y* wood to my 
Tenant. 
May. 3. Seaver tooke of mee all the bushes in Dagnal to stubbe up by 

^ Charles had applied to him for help, as his father had done before him. 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 87 

y® rootes & to pull all y* broome; he is to cleare y® grounds; for y" I 
am to give him 10s. & the broome, which I doe account to bee 13s. O. 

Jone Rayner buried of y* small pox taken with conceit * in y^ May. 10. 
place where often I have smelt a smell. 

The smallpox continued in some families in this towne ; its May. 11. 
reported that the Irish and the Duke of Lorraine are agreed ; ' he 
is expected in June next to bee with them. 

M" W"^ Harlakenden sicke of y® smallpox ; tooke y" with a May. 12. 
conceit of a keepers touching her hand. 

Heard as if the Scots were near Carlisle ; the Lord o' God stand June. 6. 
up for o' helpe in whom I putt my trust : the great rumo" of this 
weeke came to nothing ; Cromwell recovers apace for w*'^ Gods 
name bee praised. 

The state of England although worne with civill warres, and June. 9. 
scarcity and ill trading for many yeares, being but in bad termes 
with Holland, ' and not altogither sure of Spain, proclaimed open 
warre with Portugall, * and is in open warre with ffrance, o' fleets 
being in y* midland Sea * ; wee at y* same time are endeavouring 
to conquer Scotland, and Ireland ; attempt Silly with a fleet, & yett 
send a fleete also to reduce the ilands of Barbados in America ; ^ 
& yett the nacon is much discontent & divided, yett feareth not y*^ 
attempts of any forreigner against them. 

* As she conceived. 

' vide Commonwealth and Protectorate^ ii, c. xix. 
' Vide Commonwealth and Protectorate^ i, 361. 

* The Portuguese ambassador was on May i6th ordered to leave London 
within fourteen days. 

^ In the Mediterranean, Penn's fleet had captured some French prizes. 

* " As for the masters themselves, they long lived in harmony in spite of the 
distracting influence of the English Civil War. For some time anyone calling 
another either Cavalier or Roundhead was bound to give a dinner of pork and 
turkey to all within hearing when the offence was committed. Of late, however, 
this happy agreement had been brought to an end. Young English Royalists, 
smarting from defeat and sequestration, had flocked to the Island, where, headed 
by two Devonshire brothers named Walrond, they made themselves masters of 

the colony by a combination of force and intrigue Parliament gave orders 

to prepare a fleet of seven ships to sail under Aysene for the reduction of 
Barbados. " (Commonwealth and Protectorate^ i, 354.) 



88 RALPH JOSSELIN^S DIARY 

June. 19. Heard of a great route given y** Irish, a very seasonable mercy. 
Two families in towne more visited with small poxe. 

June. 24. This day I paid M' Harlakenden 4/. 7s. for his rent for Dagnal ; 
the roll of my debts now is about 57/. 13s. 

July. 6. Y® successe of o' forces in Connaught in Ireland is very great, * 
none being able to stand before them ; from Scotland wee expect 
action in as much as y* armies are on y® march ; the Lord bee with 
o' forces to prosper y™. Our ambassadors are returned from 
Holland, it is apprehended without doing the businesse for which 
they were sent. 

July. 13. One or two more in former families sicke of y® small pox. Heard 
y* M' Love * was condemned to be beheaded July IS ; he and 
divers peticon for life, others call for impartiall justice; one Joyce, 
y* commanded the guard that surprized the King at Holmeby, 
reports y* the Scots commissioners and divers English engaged to 
rule y* King by force & to put divers factious persons of y** Commons 
house and in the Country to death. 

July. 15. This day I payde to W™ Brand 5/.; I now am out of his debt, but 
I owe him love for his great kindnesse to mee ; my roll of debts is 

52/. 13s. now 52/. 13s.; it was apprehended M' Love, a godly Presbyterian 
Minister, would loose his head at London this day ; but upon his 
peticon, his wives, & the Ministers of London, he was repreived 
unto Aug: 15 next; blessed bee y* name of God for this act of 
compassion extended towards them. 

July. 22. This day M' Harlakenden went about casting his ponds ; ' my 8/. 
I lent him, he repaid mee, whereof 4/. I paid to Johnson ; I am 
now cleare with him but 13s. for a loade of wood ; my roll of debts 

48/. 13s. now 48/. 13s. Od. 

July. 25. I lent to M' Jo : Littell this day 50/ ; I shall make this up an 

' Coote captured Athlone, Loughrea and Ballinasloe. 

' For participation in a plot to put an end to the Council and Parliament and 
to restore Charles. Mr Love, a Presbyterian minister, was involved with others; 
a strong appeal for mercy was addressed to Cromwell, but Mr Love was executed 
on Tower Hill, Aug. 22. Milton appears to have written articles in " Mercurius 
Politicus " in support of the sentence. 

' Cleaning the ponds. 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 89 

100/ ; he had 20/. before, in all, 70/ ; he offers mee his meadowe 
at 5/. per annum, which I conceive is very deare. 

Heard of action in Scotland ; the Scots tooke from us Newarke July. 26. 
house in y* West, wherin wee lost 140 men ; wee tooke from them 2500slaine 
Callendar house * in the view of y*^ Campe ; Major Gen Lambert, 1533 pris- 
Harrison with his Brigade, in Fife routed a brigade of the Scots, onners 
slew a 2000 on the place, tooke many prisoners ; ' the armies on most 

both sides are march t, action is expected, the Lord in mercy ^^^dly 

^ ' "^ wounded, 

remember us. 

Sawe Cromwells letter to M' Speaker of this Scotch action ; July. 28. 
he writes not so like a servant in my minde as when he was in 
Ireland. 

Heard Aug : 1 that Sligo was taken by storme and 3000 put to Aug. 1. 
the sword on the affaire of Scotland. I heare that divers suppose 
a weeke or two will putt an end to that businesse. I say, stay till 
December next and then judge. 

Matters went very well in Scotland; great expectacons of crush- Aug. 10. 
ing, and ruining that Scotch army ; some suppose they will for 
England ; wee lost about 90 men at Limbericke in Ireland ; that 
army very sensible of Gods stroke, and humbled for y® same ; Lord 
arise & helpe us ! The Lord was gratious to mee in keeping my 
heart in some measure close to him, in helping mee against old 
corrupcons ; sometimes they show y' homes, but Gods carpenters 
are ready to cutt them of ; wee heard as if y® Polanders had routed 
the Cossacks, ' and their complices ; slaine and wounded on the 
place 48000 ; of them, 14000 slaine ; about 80000 slaine & wounded 
on both sides ; if so it is the most memorable battaile hath beene 
in Europe for an 100 yeares. 

Reported for certaine at Colne, that the Scots were at Dumfreeze Aug. 11. 
entring England, and that Cromwell and his army was then before 
S* Johnstons ; the Co™*^ in the several counties ordered to take 

^ Near Falkirk. 

' About 1500 ; total Scotch force, 4,000 : at Inverkeithing. 

' June 165 1. Battle of Beresteczko in Galicia. The Cossacks, led by Bogdan 
Khmelnitski, in their revolt against the Poles were defeated here ; they eventually 
(1654) transferred their allegiance to the Czar of Russia. 



90 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

care of the kingdomes peace ; the forces in the North ordered to 

March up towards Alnwicke to resist them. 
Aug. 13. Heard y* Scots were in Lancashire, and that they had not mett 

with any opposicon ; there emissaries are gone into ail the 

kingdome. 
Aug. 16. Heard y* Scots entred England with y' King & 11 or 12000 men, 

August 5, about Carlile on August 6, and were August 10 at Lancaster, 

y* 9 at Kendall ; that day, viz y* 10th, Harrison was at Rippon. 
Aug. 21. The enemy wee heard was in Cheshire ; all our foote ordered to 

march to Dunstable. 
Aug. 22. Rid to Colchester ; heard the enemy intended that night for 

Lichfeild, but that day he entered Worcester ; o' horse ordered all 

to march, the County left emptie of all force whatsoever. 
Aug. 23. The Scots coming in at first was a great dampe to Gods people 

and all men, but they presently recovered and beare up very 

comfortably. 
Aug. 24. The enemy for London as reported, I feare not but God hastens 

him to his fall. 
Aug. 27. Heard the enemy had been at Woster ; still s** they intended 

London. 
Aug. 29. Orders to disarme and secure malignants in the County, and to 

raise Voluntiers for the security and defence of y* same ; heard the 

action likely to bee at Worcester. 
Aug. 30. Heard Derby routed in Lancashire ; divers of quality slaine, 

many prisoners ; the levies intended in the West of Scotland 

broken. Sterling Castle taken; and our army gone towards Dundee. 

Cromwell at Warwicke ; all marching towards Worcest. where 

they are before this time. 
Sept. 2. At night heard by many hands o' freinds abroad were well, and 

y^ Cromwell was before Worcester & the Scots in it, and their 

horse in the Contry round about. 
Sept. 5. About noone heard at Colne, y^ y* Scots were routed, y' horse 

gone ; towards night confirmed y^ they fell out of towne, y^ they 

were beate in againe ; 4000 slaine, 300 prisoners ; our forces did 

gallantly ; done while wee were praying at Markeshall. 
Sept. 7. Heard after sermon of the taking of Worcester ; 6000 prisoners, 



RALPH JOSSELIN^S DIARY 91 

2000 more slaine ; even in y® place of prayer I heard it ; God good 
to mee this day, though I sinfull & unworthy. 

Received a letter from London signifying the Lords Mayors pleas- Sept. 13. 
ure unto mee to come up and preach before him, and his brethren the 
aldermen at Pauls, which I intended to doe, & serve providence in it. 

The weeke past die. 10, wee kept a day of praise unto our good Sept. 14. 
& gratious God at Cornelius. Brownsons in Barles Colne. 

This day our souldiers returned. 

This Friday morning my wife was very well delivered of her Sept. 19. 
fourth Sonne, and sixt child, much about seven of the clocke ; I 
intend to name him John. 

R** this day a letter from London y* my L* Mayor expects mee 
at my day ; I shall not faill with Gods leave. 

When the Hollander rejoyced in the false newes of o' fall, y® Sept. 21. 
enemy fell at Worcester ; God hath beene very terrible to Scotland; 
many of y'* nobility, slaine, imprisond and fled into strange lands 
and that in a very short season ; y' breake began Aug. 28, at 
Ellett ; y° somewhat more, a litle after at Dumfreeze, then Sep : 
1, at Dundee and then Sep. 3, at Worcester, and in y' pursuit they 
are even almost all taken ; oh feare, England, and hono' God, 
least he turne the wheele upon thee also. 

30. P^ M' Harlakenden all lords rent due until Michaelmas past, Lords rn^. 
viz/ 3/. 8s. 8d, ob ; I r<* also his q*«'. I now owe unto him still 10/; 45/. 12s.6rf. 
my rol of debts I now esteeme to bee about 45/. 125. 6d. ; this day 
M' John Littell of Halsted received of mee so much mony as made 
up that in his hands an 100/. ; now he oweth mee an 150/. and his 
brother Jeffery, an 100/. 

I preached this day at Pauls in London by order from y® L** Oct. 5. 
Mayor ; the audience was great ; my text was Luke 24. v. 28. I 
dined with y® L** Mayor, and by his intreaty preached before him, 
at his owne church ; the Lord was good to mee in the worke & 
service of the day ; this was the first time that I preached in the 
city of London. 

Reported that Cardinal Mazarine of France, abiding at Colen in Oct. 12. 
Germany, had tampered with the electors and wrought with y« 
Major part of them, and wonne them to transferre the Empire from 



92 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

y* house of Austria, and to elect the eldest sonne of the Duke of 
Bavaria King of Romans. 

The Prince of Conde and ffrench King in armes one against 
another. * Divers forces in England ordered to bee disbanded ; 
Major Generall Deane one of the Admirals chosen to command in 
cheife in Scotland. 

Oct. 16. Heard D' Drake had discovered the whole plott, and actors to 
bring in y^ Scots King; and this weeke came the good newes of their 
pardon of the Ministers and the other companions in that businesse.' 

Oct. 19. Paid unto W" Hickford what I owe him viz 12/. 8s. ; so y* my 
39/. 2s. 6d, roll of debts is now but 39/. 2s. 6d. 

Oct. 22. This day I received 8/. 19s. of Nathan Perry, and made even with 
him until the last michaelmas, and now all the lords rent for that 
part is payd unto mee, and I am cleare also with my uncle, and all 
about the same ; this day also I received 47/. 10s. from Goodman 
Day of mony for his purchase of Mallories ; heard also as if y* 
prince were escaped into Holland, which if, then its likely to con- 
tinue o*" troubles and bring on forreigne ingagements ; God will 
have it so, and I am perswaded Gdd will make them fall under us; 
its said he was in London in the habit of a footeman & escaped 
over in that of a seaman. 

It was said by many he was slaine, but what is man unto God? 
his life shall contribute to Gods works more than his death could. 

Oct. 24. A day of publicke rejoycing for the eminent victory at Worcester. 

Oct. 29. This day lent to M' Pelham and his sonne on their bond, 50/. 

Oct. 30. Now I heare y* King * is in France ; I said by October wee should 
heare where he was if alive, on this ground that a King is too great 
a person to conceale long ; some s'^ he was kild, some said he was 
here & there & they say Lorraine intends to waft over forces into 
Ireland, but I feare them not, if this notion hold. Heard Jersey 
iland was taken. * 

' Louis XIV had been declared of age, and Parliament declared Conde and 
his followers guilty of treason. 

* The other ministers arrested with Mr Love. 
' He landed at Fecamp on October i6. 

* Not taken till December 12. 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 93 

Paid Nicholas his 3/. 10s. I borrowed of him ; my roll of debts is Nov. 1. 
now, 35/. 12s. 6d. 35lA2s,6d. 

The King escaping and appearing in ffrance, matters growing very Nov. 2. 
high in y* nation ; the state of England in this latter end of Oct- 
ober, wonne Jersey iland in the lap of f ranee and the castle, as also 
Man island * and Limbricke in Ireland, ' which giveth us hope of 
good successe in o' affaires at home, y* wee may more vigorously 
attend forreigne designes ; the Scots also are much divided, and 
divers tender compliance with England. 

Received from M' Harlakenden my sermon at his wives funerall Nov. 16. 
which he printed ; I had a litle peice of my drawing printed in 
M' Harlakendens booke, but this was my first at the presse. * 

Writt up to London for our augmentacon businesse. I am now Nov. 18. 
in arreare 1 yeare 3 qters ; at 40/. per annum it is 70/. ; if I receive 
in all 60/. I will make y* Lord a sharer with it for his worke in new 
England to y® sum of 5/. when they gather for the advancement of 
the Gospell in new England. 

Lent Young of Halsted 3/. who was in great straites to make his Nov. 19. 
rent up to his landlord; I bought of him 4 bushels wheate at 4s. 6d. 
the bushel ; 

The state of England hath in a manner reduced Scotland and 
Ireland ; w^ probability is their of continuing their command over 
them, for surely the seed of liberty will remaine in those nations, 
if not of revenge also ; and if ever our troubles and' discords, or y' 
happines & valor of some perticular person appeare, they may give 
a turne ; to destroy the nations were barbarous, to plant them with 
English colonies is very hard and unlikely, and Scotland will not 
invite our men, and yett this must be done besides good garrisons. 
God who hath done what is done, will effect his owne purpose, and 
therefore I beleive it. 

The small pox continueth still in Towne in many places. This Nov. 23. 
weeke wee heard the house voted Novemb. 18, they would sitt 

* Surrendered October 31. 

* October 27. 

* The sermon was entitled ** The State of the Saints departed, God's cordial to 
comfort the Saints remaining alive. " Published in London in 1652. 



94 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

but 3 yeares more ; the Cavas * give out y* King of Denmarke 
is dead, and Charles Stuart called to that kingdome, that he 
should marry y** daughter of Spaine — strange things : Its said 
the P. of Conde hath sent over unto us for souldiers, but our state 
demurre. * 
Nov. 26. W"* Webb and his brother tooke my ditching, to throw the marie 
into the fdld, to cutt the hedge, sett on one againe, and to goe three 
spitt where need is ; to throw of a spitt where I intend to quicke 
and to raise it up with new earth ; I am to give them 3d. ob. per 
rod, and where worth it ^d. 
Dec. 1. This day we kild a good hogge ; through mercy the price of 
things, and catle abateth very much ; this afternoone, my Utle 
Scotch hobby that I bought my sonne Tho. died, the first of such 
creatures that ever dyed from mee ; Lord its mercy that it was not 
a greater and a nearer losse. 
Dec. 7. Heard as if some of Lorraines men were come over into Ireland. ' 
Dec. 9. I received 25/. of my augmentacon arreares, which my good 
freind Major Haines procured from M' Stanbridge. 
Dec. 12. 13. R'^ the 3/. I lent Young ; I paid him 17s. 4rf. for four bushels of 
wheate ; I paid Nich Hurrel 4/. I borrowed of his mony from my 
sister ; I am cleare with him ; Caplin paid me the last of my 5/. and 
this day I lent Jo. Smith oatemeale man, 4/. until Dec. 26. Coxal 
destitute sent for me to preach, profferd me 20s. but I refused ; 
this day wee heard that Ireton Deputy generall of Ireland dyed at 
Limbricke in Ireland No: 26. Ludlow who was L. gen. commands 
the forces in cheife for the present. 

' ? Cavaliers. 

'He sent over an agent, La Riviere to England to ask for help. 

' " On October 7 Synott returned to Galway with an agreement between the 
Duke of Lorraine and the two Commissioners, Plunket and Browne, in accord- 
ance with which the Duke was to be styled the Royal Protector of Ireland 
holding powers little short of those of Royalty itself. On the 20th this offer was 
summarily rejected by Clanricarde as entrenching on his authority derived from 

the King The Mayor and Corporation of Galway even chose an agent of 

their own to re-open the negotiation, which the Lord Deputy fiercely denounced. 
The Duke was not likely to lead an army into Ireland on the simple invitation of 
the Corporation of Galway. " [Commonweal Ih and Protectorate, ii.) 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 95 

Releasd from going to Halsted, saw Manasseh Ben Israel, ^ or Dec. 20. 
the hope of Israel. Lord, my heart questions not the caUing home 
the nation of the Jewes; thou wilt hasten in its season, oh my God; 
oh, thou God of the ends of the whole earth, hasten it Amen ! Saw 
the good newes of taking of the private excise on beere; the several 
oppressions of men will spew them out in due time so that their 
places shall know them no more. 

The Holland Ambassadors had y"^ audience : Dec. 19 ' : no Dec. 28. 
actions this weeke ; our worke will bee to setle our conquests, 
and to order things at home with justice to content ; heard 
that 12 men, 4 lawyers & 8 gentlemen are chosen to frame a 
moddell of regulating the Law : its said the Gen. in the House 
offered them his commission now Ireton is dead ; its question- 
ed whether the power of Lieuten^ship shall bee continued to 
Cromwell, or which way his place and that government shal bee 
managed. 

Heard y" day of y* reducement of y* two Hands of Jersey and Jan. 3. 
Guernsey to the obedience of parliament. Elizabeth Castle yeilded 
Decem : 12 ; y® 15, our men tooke possession according to agree- 
ment : Cornet Castle ' was y« last of y® kingdome of England y^ held 
out agst y* parliament for y* King y* was yeilded up. 

My eye is on y* troubles of France ; God is disquieting them. Jan. 6. 
In 48 y® Germane peace * was concluded ; who would have thought 

^ " On November 5 (1655) Manasseh published his Humble Address to the 
Protector, defending Jews from calumnies raised against them, and arguing with 
some defect of worldly wisdom, that as England was the only country rejecting 
them, their re-establishment would, according to the prophecies, be the signal 
for the coming of the Messiah. A few days later he prepared a request for the 

admission of his race on an equality with the natives of England Though 

the Protector solaced him with a pension, he was forced to cross the seas 
discomfited, together with a number of Jews who had accompanied him and 
shared his hopes." {Commonwealth and Protectorate^ iii, 218-221.) 

' " Before the end of the preceding year the States General, alarmed at the 
Navigation Act, resolved to despatch an embassy to procure if possible its 

repeal At their first audience they were informed that the Navigation Act 

was irrevocable. " (Commonwealth and Protectorate^ ii, 107.) 

'In Guernsey, surrendered December 17. 

* Peace of Westphalia. 



96 RALPH JOSSELIN^S DIARY 

that had not beene a step to reconcile France & Spaine, or afforded 
liberty to forreine princes to ingage agst England ? but y® troubles 
of the world shall come on them suddenly as paines of a travailing 
woman. 

Jan. 18. God good to mee and mine in our outward mercies ; y' is a still 
time for present in England ; the French troubles come on, * no 
body knoweth why, and so in England no body can state the cause 
of the quarrel. 

Jan. 24. This day was the last of my 35 yeare. 

All y* threats of o' enemies ended in y* ruine of y* Scotch designe 
at Worcester, and the flight of y"^ King into France ; all Scotland 
even reduced by force, and disbanded on treaty ; our forces also 
prospered in Ireland, where y® sword, famine and pestilence hath 
made a great waste. Wee are not in good terms with Holland ; 
the new hopes of the enemies are that these 2 states will fall out to 
cithers ruine and make way for the Spaniard and Stuard to recover 
y' owne againe in both. 

France is likely to fall into flames by her owne divisions ; this 
summer shee hath done nothing abroad. The Spaniard hath almost 
reduced Barcelona, y® cheife city of Catalonia, and so y' kingdome ; 
y* issue of that affaire wee waite. Poland is free from warre with 
the Cossacks but feareth them. Dane and Suede are both in 
quiet, and so is Germany, yett the peace at Munster is not fully 
executed : the Turke hath done no great matter on y* Venetian, 
nor beene so fortunate and martial as formerly, as if that people 
were at y' height and declining rather. 

The lies of Silly, Jersey, and Guernsey, Man, and all y** proper 
possessions of England now reduced, and no great feare of any 
power within ; God prevent breaches among our selves, o*" fleetes 
are strong at sea. 

Y' have been great inundacions in Spaine at Bilboa, and in 
Italy ; letters from Silly mention an earthquake their on Decemb. 
25, past. 

^ Conde had been declared guilty of treason and Prance was involved in 
civil war. 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 97 

Jan : 25, 1651. y. 36 of my age. 

This was the Lords day, and I was sensible, that it ended my 35, Jan. 25. 
and begun my 36 yeare. 

Mett at my house ; wee gave a sharpe reproofe to some of o' Jan. 27. 
company in their weake carriage. I was with Thomasin, poore 
troubled heart ; helpe her oh Lord ! heard that Jo : Lilburne, * 
when he received his sentence Jan. 20, 1651, refused to kneele, 
wherupon they ordered him to be banisht within 20 dayes w*'^ end 
I apprehend ffeb : 8 :, he said, *^ I shall outlive this sentence of 
yours, as I have all the rest of them. " 

Bought 12 bushels white oates at 225. 6d, only \ bushell branke' 
given in. 

A report out of Scotland, as is whisperd from the West y' of, y* Jan. 31. 
the Rebels had burnt Dublin ; this lookt on as a tale, and perhaps 
is so, but when such a thing doth come, its a signe to the English 
nation of dismal dayes coming on them. 

Lett Bowles my ditch at Bridgmans for 6d, per rod. Feb. 10. 

Was Iretons funerall. Feb. 6. 

Heard y* 20°*. Danes were landed in Scotland, perhaps some, Feb. 30. 
not so many ; perhaps none, but surely y' is much trouble yett 
coming on England, and wee shall not enjoy y* constant victorious 
successe that wee did formerly ; yett God will crowne the issue 
with much good to his remnant. Heard y* Q. & K. were banisht 
out of France, they sending ambassadors to us. Both these 
proved reports as farre as we could discerne ; y* French troubles 
advance. 

Went to Halstead ; in my way mett with Captaine Maidstone, Feb. 26. 
who prevailed with mee to preach the assize sermon at Colchester 
on March 2 next. 

Rid to Colchester, where I preacht the assize sermon ; the Lord March. 2. 
was good to mee in my comfortable jorny outwards & homewards ; 
I bought M^ Dells booke ; cost mee 3s. ; I hope I might doe good, 
and receive good from the occasions of that day. 

^ Commonwealth and Protectorate^ ii, 7. 
' Buckwheat. 

H 



98 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

March. 8. This day a sweet warme raine. I sold to M' W°* Harlakenden 
20 Q. hay at 2s. per Q. 

March. 24. A review of my outward estate which God hath given mee. 

1651 : 

Bollinhatch p^ and 2 closes in Colne, 

as formerly. 



Mallories sold in lieu of y* I have in ) ^^.^ 

M' J. L. & M' J. L. hands. j 

In M' P. hands y^ vf*"^ was in M' J. L. ) -^ 

formerly. J 

25. March 1652. now at hand in mony ) ^- 

& improvemt of M" Marie's land, j 

My stock in all much as last yeare. 32 



I was then in debt, 70/. I am now in debt about 12/. so I have 
paid 58/. and have added 4 to M" Marie's land ; this yeare through 
mercy gives mee an improvem* of my estate to about 70/. for which 
I desire to give praise & thanks to my good God. I have moreover 

in G. Y. hands 10/. 

1652. This day I renewed y® resolucon of Aug. 23. 1647 about bookes 
to put it in execution, and to sett out the 10th of all receipts in 
mony that are paid unto as rents, or profits, towards charitable 
uses, thus, viz in 10s. because of giving many things in kinde at the 
doore, every 4s. towards bookes and necessary things for my study, 
and the other 6s. to dispose towards such charitable uses, as God 
shall give mee a fit opportunity for ; and this I desire to doe out of 
obedience unto God, and love to the service and commands of God 
and Christ. 
This day a great eclipse ; se^ memorials of this day. 
June. 9. A fast day in London. 

June. 10. Presented D' Wright with a peice of plate ; cost 5s. 6d, per 
ounce ; it cost mee 5/. 19s. 6t/. as a token of my love to him in 
giving mee y* schoole. 
June. 13. The small pox much in London. 

June. 20. Many eyes are on our breach with Holland, * and how Lorraine 
* We were at war with the Dutch. 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 99 

hath lurcht the princes, which speakes the Kings present successe; 
God is shaking the earth, and he will doe it. 

This day I began to unfold y* assembly catechismes. July. 4. 

I received of the Major 15/. which he received of M' Stanbridge July. 24. 
in part of my arreares of augmentacon due unto mee. * 

M*^ Meredith and his daughter came to Colne with his wife ; y^ Aug. 8. 
Lord make the young one a blessing unto us all. I p* him 10s. lOs. 18s. 
and ISs. to M' Heckford of Halsted for a suite of clothes, die 10th. 

I dreamed formerly of our being in France with o' armies and 
y* time by November next or y® yeare following in 53 ; now Sept. 
4, 1652, o' fleet did y* Spaniards a great curtesy in destroying y^ 
French fleete y* attempted to relieve Dunkirke * & for my p* I 
apprehend wee shall warre with France. 

Great feare as if wee should not long imploy o' poore by reason Sept. 19. 
of decay of trade through o' breach with Holland. 

Received of Major Haines 14/. p* of 25/. he hath received of M^ Sept. 28. 
Stanbridge : the Major hath in hand still 11/. 

5. R^ of Major Haines, 11/. residue of y* 25/. which he last received Oct. 4. 
for mee of M' Stanbridge ; I have received in all 65/. in p* of 2 
yeares & halfe augmentacon due to me on June : 24 : 1652, past. 
I gave to my sister 20s. and my wife a good coate & some other 
things. 

This day I began a Lecture at Wakes Colne. Oct. 7. 

This day was set apart for a publike fast to seeke Gods face in Oct. 13. 
regard to y^ breach of England and Holland, and that the Lord 
would direct them, in the things of his w^. which I humbly beg 
the Lord to assist o' state in. 

Heard y* Danish Ambassador was clapt up, till wee heare some- Oct. 22. 
thing concerning o' ships. 

1 In D' Shaw's " History of the English Church " will be found the following 
entry "William Stanbridge to the use of W. Clopton minister of Markishall 
& R. Jocelyn minister of Earles Colne £ 199.0.0." (from the sale of Bishop's lands). 

' ** Blake fell upon the relieving fleet whilst it was still on its way from Calais, 
carried seven of the men of war into Dover and captured, destroyed or dispersed 
the store ships, with the result that Dunkirk surrendered on the following day. 
Commonwealth & Protectorate, ii, 130. 



100 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

Oct. 29. Made up to M' Harlakenden y* Justice 25/., viz. 14/. at y« priory 

25/. and 11/. of the Tickett mony, which wee began tp repay this day. 
Nov. 5. Received from M' William Harlakenden 1/. 10s. for to buy a 

booke, for preaching and printing his wives funerall sermon. 
Nov. 25. R"* this day the act for propagation of y® Gospel in New England 

among the heathen; I resolve to give 5/. my selfe & wife & children, 

and to promote it unto y* utmost. 
Dec. 2. Heard as if it were y^ states intention next yeare to send an army 

into Holland, and if not y^ Hollanders intended y^ like against us. 
Dec. 5. Heard of a fight in the Downes with the Dutch. * 
Dec. 26. This weeke God was good to mee and all mine in o' outward 

mercies ; I made a gathring for the Indians. I gave 5/. and my 

family, gathered in mony more, 4/. 8$. 6d. and y' was underwritt 

more 32/. 
Dec. 30. Invited to my Lady H. kindly entertained ; heard y' that y* Lon- 
doners bought up bayes, hull ' and ivy wonderfully in London, 

being eagerly sett on y' feasts ; oh that my heart were as zealous 

for God. 
Jan. 1. This wee call new yeares day ; it was a cleare lightsome day; 

heard that y* army kept solemne dayes of fasting & prayer, on Jan. 

28 & 29, a signe of some great resolucons on foote among them. 
Jan. 2. Y® Lord was good to mee in y® sabbath ; I renewed the motion 

for new England ; some poore came in, most of y* richer sorte came 

in; I received in mony 4/. 17s. 10^. & M' Cressener subscribed 40s.; 

wee have somewhat above 50/. ; blessed bee our God in what wee 

shall doe in this worke. 

I " Off Dungeness the two fleets clashed against one another about three in the 
afternoon, Blake having still the advantage of the wind. Then followed a scene 
the like of which has never again been witnessed in the annals of the British 
Navy. Twenty of Blake's ships— some of them hired merchantmen, some of 
them men-of-war — held aloof and took no part in the action. The disparity of 
numbers, great enough before, now became overwhelming. Blake with but 
twenty-five ships was left to struggle against eighty-five. No heroism could count- 
ervail such odds, and, after losing two ships, the Garland and the Bonaventure, 
Blake was well satisfied to return to Dover, whence on the following day he made 
his retreat to the Downs. " (Commonwealth and Protectorate^ ii, 150J 

» Holly. 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 101 

The state issued a proclamation against Jesuites to be gone by Jan. 9. 
March 1. next. 

Nan came to us. Jan. 18. 

M' Stebbin with mee to propose a businesse unto mee, wherein Jan. 24. 
he desired my helpe, I promised it as far as I might. 

And now I am sensible this day ends my 36 yeare, in which the 
Lord hath beene very good to mee and all my family, his provision 
for mee bountifull, though I have been unworthy ; yett I desire in 
the uprightnes of my heart to owne & serve my God & follow him 
through any condicon. 

The great actions this yeare are y* troubles of France, where y* 
Princes rather loose than gaine, Orleans fallen of from ' Conde, 
Spaine hath gotten much of France this yeare, filled his kingdome 
with troubles assisting y* Princes, winning Gravelin & afterwards 
Dunkirke. — Barcellona in Catalonia, and therby even reducing that 
kingdome, — Casal in Montferrat and reducing that under Mantua, 
to the great prejudice of the French interest. 

The Germans quiet, great noise of y"^ diet, but nothing done as 
yett ; the Turkes & the Venetians calmed, and its said now treating 
a peace. 

The English quiet at home and also in all their dominions, fa- 
voured by the Spaniard, courted by y* Portugal with whom wee 
have perfected a peace, he buying it ; the French treate us, the 
Swedes and wee gaze, but each are sending their agents ; the Dutch 
fought us all along this summer at our owne doores, the Dane 
seizeth o' shipping and stops us in the Sound. ^ 

The Dutch and wee are now making great naval preparations, 
and so is the Spaniard. 

37 yeare of my age, 1652. Jan. 25. 

Sensible this day entred me into my 37 yeare ; the Lord bee with Jan. 25. 
mee therein to keepe mee from sin & temptacon, and preserve 

^ ** Yet more serious was the news that the King of Denmark, whose good 
understanding with the Dutch was notorious, had detained in the Sound twenty 
English merchantmen laden with materials for the construction and repair of 
shipping." [Cotntnonwealth & Protectorate^ ii, 140.) 



102 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

mee spotlesse to his owne kingdome, with thee I leave all my 

waies. 
Feb. 24. Great reports yesterday of our victory over the Dutch. * 
Feb. 28. This day I brought divers businesse for my estate into order, 

clearing up divers accounts and evening those reckonings that were 

on my hand, for which I praise my God ; oh that y* Lord alone 

would cleare the account of my soule. 
March. 3. Publiq: fast; few in the contry had notice to keepe it. The enemie 

begins to appeare both in Ireland & Scotland; its but weakely yet; 

the issue of thes things God only knoweth. 
March. 6. I was afraid of some trouble at London before this ' : blessed bee 

God for lengthning out our tranquillity. 
March. 19. P* in unto M' Crowe for the use of N.E. towards the propagating 

the Gospell to the Indians, as a freewill offering from divers inhabit- 
ants of Earles Colne, 54/. lis. lOd. 

March. 26. A review of that estate God hath mercifully given mee. 
1653. 

Lands as formerly. 

M' J. L. as formerly 150/. 

M' Jeff. L. pd in 100 y' is M' W. | 100. 

H. hands —3 — j 

M' P. as formerly 50. 

25. March past improvem* of M" ) increase 

Maries land. 4/. 5s. now in total . . J 89. 5. - 4/. 5s. Od, 

Stocke as formerly about ... 32. 0. 

In Young's hands 10/. p^. in W. Br. 15. 0. 0. 5. 0. 0. 

In M' W. H. hands 100. 0. 0. 100. 0. 0. 

In E. J. hands of W 25. 0. 0. 25. 0. 0. 

My debts were 12/. now. 32/. so that 
abate y« 20/. out of this 134. 5. 0. 

Their remaineth this yeare a great 
addicon to my estate, viz 114. 5. 0. 

1 After a three days fight ofif Portland, we took eleven ships of war and thirty 
merchantmen. 
• Commonwealth and Protectorate^ ii, 176-181. 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 103 

This was the roll of my debts, besides divers engagements in March. 28. 

those moneyes which I had appointed unto another use. 32/. 

P* goodman Matthew 21/. 10s. ; my roll of debt is now 29/. 10s.; April. 3. 

29/. 10s. 

Heard the Spaniards had seized o' merchants, because of o' stop April. 7. 
of the Hamburg-plate. 

Bought some of M' Westlyes bookes as amounted to 31, 14s. April. 8. 
M' Tomson had one of mee at 4s. 6d. I owe unto him the rest viz. 
3/. 9s. 6d. 

This day the army men turned the Parliament * out. April. 20. 

In regard of y* troubles of the times I resolve to buy no more May. 4. 
bookes for present then absolutely needfull untill with the mony set 
a part for bookes and givings, I have paid the 31. 9s. 6d. I owe 
M' Tompson, & 5/. 10s. to my sister moneys that I owe for bookes 
and that I borrowed to give away. 

Heard but not true Cromwell was made Lord High Protector of May. 5. 
England ; all apprehend a storme on the ministry. 

Heard againe of very great pressing at London, both for sea & land.' May. 25. 

One sett up Cromwells picture ' at y* exchange & over it 3. 
Crownes, and written tis under it divers verses, beginning. 

1 The remnant of the Long Parliament. 

' " In the middle of March one thousand men were pressed and it was said — 
no doubt with considerable exaggeration^that not a serviceable man was left 
behind.... Merchantmen approaching the coast were tK)arded and the greater 
part of their crews carried off. Able-bodied men fled from the sight of the state 
ships as they would have done from the plague. Orders were sent to secure 
mariners in Jersey and even in Scotland and Ireland. In London a raid was 
made on shore, even gentlemen unused to the sea were dragged out of their 
beds and hurried on board ship. {Commonwealth & Protectorate^ 192). 

3 " On May 19 a gentleman stepped into the Exchange and hung up a picture 
of Cromwell with three crowns and the words " It is I " above, and underneath 
the lines : — 

* Ascend three thrones great Captain and Divine 
By the will of God, o Lion, for they are thine. 
Come priest of God, bring oil, bring robes of gold, 
Bring crowns and sceptres, ifs now high time ; unfold 
Your cloistered bags, your state chests, lest the rod 
Of steel and iron of the King of God 



104 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

Ascend three thrones, brave Captaine, and Divine 
by the will of God, o Lyon, for they are thine. 

heard as if endeavo" were to bring the cheife goverm^ to one 
person ; divers pretend the visions of God for it ; the title of King 
probably will be waved, and some other pitched on. 

June. 1. Rid to London, die. 3** returned safe ; I went & bought not one 
booke : Camdens Britannia is buyable for 2Ss. and Mercato" Maps 
for 3/. 5s. 

June. 3. Newes of a dreadful fight at sea, brought up by the fishermen of 
our coasts. * 

June. 12. O' newes of the fight proved not as reported ; our victory very 
great & losses little to speake of ; the Dutch cowed before us, and 
stucke not to their worke like men ; * this weeke came out the 
summons for the councell to meete at Whitehall July, 4 : next. 

June. 13. Told y* the Anabaptists, as called, suppose the army agst y* pro- 
testant religion, and that they will downe with it as now established; 
Lord thy will be done ! I know great things must be done, onely 
take the care of the glory of thy great name. 

June. 14. Reports y' wee had landed men at the Texell. 

June. 20. Sold my blacke buUocke for 2/. lis. 

July. 15. Heard y« N. Councell, ' y' call themselves a Par. of y® common- 
wealth of England, have as y' first businesse taken into considera- 

Chastise you all in's wrath ; then kneel and pray 
To Oliver the torch of Zion, star of day. 
Then shout, o merchants, city and gentry sing. 
Let all men bare-head cry, God save the King. ' 

The Lord Mayor, half frightened, took the picture down and carried it to 
Cromwell, offering either to restore it to its place or to treat it in any other way 
as he might please to direct. Cromwell did but laugh at the poor man's anxiety 
to please, telling him that such things were but trifles, not fit to be considered in 
such serious times. " (Commonwealth and Protectorate^ ii, 228). 

* The Dutch lost twenty men-of-war of which eleven were brought in as 
prizes. 

' " If there was superiority in tactics it was on the Dutch side.... what the 
Dutch admiral lacked was a fleet equal to his merits. " [Commonwealth and 
Protectorate^ ii, 239.) 

* Barebones Parliament. 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 105 

tion y® matter of tithes ' ; they speake nothing, but God, and god- 
Uness ; the issue wee will waite. 

Delivered to James Linnet for S' Tho : Hon)rwood 4 quarters July. 26. 
and six bushels oates at 20d, the bushell, which is 31, 3s, 4d, 

Cald up this morning to heare the thumping, thundering canon, * July. 31. 
which filled into country houses, and o' beds with the dreadfuU 
noise ; I have not ever heard the like shooting in my life ; its no 
question a terrible sea fight neare our doores between the Holland- 
er and us ; the Lord is our hope in all our straites. The roaring 
cannon sounded till night ; y^ wind high, hindred o' hearing of 
them very much ; God give a good issue to England in this 
ingagement. 

Wee shall observe y* effects of this victory by the estate, and Aug. 7. 
whether they attempt any thing at land against Holland. 

Its looked on as certain that Van-Trump is dead of his wounds. Aug. 17. 

Wee gatherd for Marlborough, 31, & more.' Aug. 28. 

M'Clopton. 

R* of M' Clopton 14/. 3s. 9d, & 18/. before, my part of 55/. 5s.; Sept. 21. 
p** in by M' Man, y* due for 3 yeares out of Dunmow which is 108/, 
y^ rest lost ; a day wherin God in many perticulars shewed great 
favo' unto mee. 

M' Nevill buried ; at y* funeral I first heard y® Dutch peace was Jan. 9. 
made, * and 10 assured of it from Lady Honywood ; the messenger 
found mee praying, and so fitting for death, the fittest duties for y« 
peace, though carnal hearts are jocund at it, for this will be the 
homes rise, and y* mine of the protestant interest as one 7 yeares 
will lett us know ; and now have at thy skirts, ffrance. 

This yeare brought forth notable revolucons at home, in dissolv- 
ing parliam** & declaring Cromwell protector who is to rule by a 
counsell ; its said after divers bloudy fights now wee have made 
peace with the Dutch ; y« ffrench have had a good yeare of it, as 
the Sp : last, tooke much from Conde, reduced Bourdeaux, quieted 

* The House refused to abolish tithe. 

* The fight in which Van Trorap was killed. 

' There had been a disastrous fire here in April. 

* The Treaty was not signed till April 5. 



106 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

the protestantSf maintained them selves in Italy, and done some 
feats in Catalonia ; Brest y' port was like another Dunkirk agst us, 
& I conceive wee shall remember it in due time ; the German diet 
still continues ; they have crowned Ferdinand y* 4**^ King of 
Romans ; the Cossacks and Polish are in armes, the Turke also 
agst the Venetian ; things are somewhat calmer then formerly, and 
discourses are of a generall peace. Lord my soule waiteth for thy 
coming wee intreate thee. 

38 yeare now enters, Jan. 25. 1653. 

Sensible this was a new yeare to mee, and a yeare of strange 
transactions at home and preparacons for the like abroad ; the Lord 
keepe mee, in soule and body without spott & without blemish, 
for in thy grace and strength* is my strength & tower ; oh lett mee 
not bee ashamed for in thee I put my trust. 
Feb. 31. Heard 2 strange passages of O.C. in his youth, and a strange 
passage or 2 of other mens thoughts of him. 
March. 10. Rumoured y* peace was w*^ Holland, & France included, and 
that wee were breaking with Spain, who had cosened us of much 
prize gold, challenging as his, which it was not. 

March. 24. Lands as formerly, & mony as formerly: viz. . . . 440/. 

Improvem* of M" Maries lands: 4/. 9s. now in the 
whole 93/. 14s. 

I have p^ of all my debts viz 32/. & some odde debts 
more, and through mercy I doe not owe any person any 
sum of mony. 

My stocke is worth much about w^ formerly, & I have 
in mony more, viz w*** M' Elliston 20. 0. 

Lent to Robt. Potter, 10/. to W°> Webb, 5/. to Har- 
rington of White Colne, 2/. 10s 17. 10. 

So that my estate is advanced y" yeare about 69/. one way & 
other, which is much in thes broken daies, for which I desire to 
blesse and praise the Lord. 



RALPH JOSSELIN^S DIARY 107 

1654. 

Heard y' would bee an assembly, and that y*^ is speech of an April. 2. 
high title for the protector viz. Emperor of the South. I am come 
to a yeare w^^ is like to bring forth notable counsells, I will mind 
them ; its s** Cromwell was borne in 1600 y* same yeare in which 
K. Charles was borne. 

Sold 3 bullocks to M' EUiston at 3/. 15s.; he is to pay mee before May. 6. 
Christmas next. 

Offerd my townesmen my tithes at 4/. quarter to dischardge mee May. 15. 
of all rates and dues w*soever. 

¥• season very hott at present ; the plague is begun at one end May. 21. 
of y« land viz. Chester ; the Lord prevent the spreading of it, if it 
bee his good pleasure. 

Much mutter y' is in y* country y' y* Electors must seale indent- June. 22. 
ures at y* choice * ; y® cheife Mag. begins to find a burthen on him. 

This day sett a part for y« choice of parliam^ men through the 
kingdome, & I sett it a part to seeke God, in behalf of my family. 

This day knights chosen in o' county ; 

13 ; a very small number of choosers appeared, not 500 although July. 12. 
it was the sessions time ; y® choice as to y® outsides of men indiff er. 
good ; the Lord make them carefull & mindefull of him ; its said 
there were a great number of ministers present, an 100 or more. 

This day I saw a license under y« hands of the Irish Com® for a July. 24. 
souldier to marry, ' and without such license they may not marry, 
so that in England y' forbidding ministers to solemnize marriage, 
and y® souldiers to marry without y' license. 

Heard of y« rout of y*' Spanish army at Arras by y« French under Aug. 22. 
Turenne. 

I heard y* y* protector was proclaimed Emperour, but for my Aug. 31. 

* ** The identure in which under the old system the returning officer joined 
with the principal electors in certifying that the persons named in it had been 
duly chosen, was changed so as to include a declaration by them that the new 
members were debarred from altering the Government ' as now settled in a 
single person and Parliamont. ' " {Commonwealth & Protectorate^ iii, 8, 9. 

' Marriages between English soldiers and Irish women had been forbidden by 
Ireton on May i, 165 1. 






108 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

part I beleive it not, thinking the time and season is not yett come 
for the doing of it. 

Sept. 1 . One cald, and told mee, y* this Friday y* Pro : was to bee 
proclaimed Emperour. God good in preserving An in a milke 
bowle, and Jane from swouning who let her fall in, and, John in 
falling from y*' top of y* schoole staires ; God give his angels charge 
over us. 

Sept. 3. This day y® Pari, was to sitt ; y® Lord in mercy preserve them 
from acting any dishonourable thing. 

Sept. 10. Parliam* is now sitting, and great strivings are on foote. 

Oct. 13. This day y* Pari : appointed a fast at Westmiiist. & London. 
I was sensible of y' condicon & begd God would shew them y* 
things to our peace, if y® decree of ruine were not gone forth, 
if they had not stumbled in perferring y' own things to y® Lords, 
w^^ I feared ; at night M' R. H. told me y* Tuesday morning 12 
they were shutt out of y* House, * & a guard of souldiers sett on y« 
House ; this amazed many men ; I see Gods worke going on. 

Oct. 28. Wee eate a messe of green selfe sown pease, sent mee by Good- 
man Bridge, a raritie y' I never saw before, but mentioned in the 
newes as if common in y*' West. 

Nov. 29. I bought Wharton's Almanacke wherin are amazing perticulars. 

Dec. 8. I thought by this day, England might heare of y*' intent of 
Blakes fleet ' ; I heard, 7, it was before Naples. 

Dec. 24. Noisd wee had beat a French fleet, ' but it was not seconded. 

Jan. 25. Rose y* morning, and I found my birth day was 26, not y* day 
as I thought hitherto ; going down to a fast, my neighbo' Burton 
cald and told mee the parliam' was dissolved on Monday, 22, at 
one of y* clocke by y^ Protector, which proved true ; in my night 

* Gardimr^ Commofnvealth & Protectorate^ iii, 25. 

' Blake sailed for the Mediterranean on October 8. " How useful to Spain 
was the appearance of the English fleet in the Mediterranean may be gathered 
from the fact that the Duke of Guise was preparing to sail from Toulon at the 
head of an expedition designed for the conquest of Naples and that Blake was 
ordered to frustrate that undertaking by attacking and ruining his fleet.*' 
{Commonwealth aiid Protectorate^ iii, 373.) The expedition was abandoned. 

' We had taken two French prizes. 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 109 

vision that night, I thought it was so, and I mett 4 of y° parliam^ in 
blacke habits, and gownes, walking in London street, or in a great 
towne ; the Lord take care of us. I am glad I was about such a 
worke when I heard it. 

Jan : 26 : 1654 : 39 yeare enters 

My dayes passe, thine, o Lord, abide for ever; I shall enjoy thee Jan. 26. 
where I shall dwell for ever with thee ; sensible it entred mee a 
new yeare, in w*'^ my heart desired Gods presence with mee, as 
I desire to praise him, for his abiding presence with mee y 
last past. 

Rose more early than formerly ; heard just as I rose, a fire on ffeb. 13. 
Coin green, quencht and no hurt to mention ; blessed bee God : 
one cald mee down, gave mee a hint of some trouble at London, 
presently sent for to priory ; saw a letter from Major Haines to 
call divers to Markshall, to communicate a letter from y® protector 
unto them, to acquaint them with the present state of affaires w*^^ 
threaten trouble ; I was not desired. Its expected the Cavaliers 
will rise, and Charles Stuart come & head them. The Levellers * 
are up 300 in the west, its thought Grey & Eyres & Wildman head 
them, ' also the 5^ monarchy ' men in London under Harrison and 
Rich * ; and w*^ if all this bee but in designe ? 

Through mercy the great noise of plots vanish, but whether ffeb. 18. 
some mens evill intentions will not take place God knowes ; these 

' Commoftwealih & Protectorate^ Ii6, 117. 

' " Wildman was seized at a village near Marlborough by a party of horse 
under Major Butler on February 10 just as he was dictating a declaration inviting 
the people to take up arms against Oliver Cromwell, and was carried oD for 
security to Chepstow Castle. Grey was apprehended by Hacker and carried to 
London and ultimately lodged as a prisoner in Windsor Castle." (Common- 
wealth & Protectorate^ iii, 118). 

s *< The Fifth Monarchy men, while basing their conduct on religious grounds, 
directly attacked the existing government on the plea that earthly rule ought 
exclusively to be in the hands of the saints." (Commonwealth & Protectorate, 
iii, 112.) 

* Rich was brought before the Protector & Council on the i6th. 



no RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

things and dayes are very misterious, the Lord bee good to mee 
y' in ; the weather is wonderfull uncertain, and moist, I wonder, 
when y* plot is noised to bee so much in y* North, why all forces 
march to the city, especially from the north ; I feare something is 
to be done in London. 
Feb. 25. I find that many men great formerly are now in durance, 
Harrison by name ' ; y' is a lex talionis in o' sufferings and surely 
y^ cup will goe round \ let not man trust in man, for he is but 
a lie ; the Levellers & 5' Monarchy men are for present most 
shot at ; y« Independ** in favo' ; the presb : not much medling or 
medled with. 

March. 6. Wett day, rid to Colchester, I find some earnestly oppose 
Protector; others close with him on grounds that carry a faire 
face ; the Lord keepe my heart closely & wisely to retain y® doves 
innocency. S^ that Rich is committed. ' 

March. 8. This day was a day I had thought of as y* bound within w*^^ some 
g* action would bee ' ; the throning of y* protector really done ; he 
will come up higher in the season of it ; I saw a letter from Major 
Haines, intimating reall apprehensions of the Cavalier attempts ; 
s** y* prince on y* seas. 

March. 13. Heard y^ Caval. in arms in Wales, Nottingh : Shropsh : Wiltsh : 

where they seized y® Judges ; dreamd at night, one told mee up in 

Lincolnshire, and I perswaded, they would be crusht and come to 

nothing : I saw y® horse march down a long street. 

1655. I again review my estate. Lands as formerly, and the same 

March. 25. personal estate good y* was last ; y' is added this yeare. 

My stocke w*^ I last yeare valued at 30 I count worth about 20/. 
and I am in debt to 2 persons 5/, w*^^ abated, y' remains cleared 
96/. 10s. 

* He was arrested with Rich on February i6. 

' " Rich was allowed to remain at liberty for some time longer to attend on his 
dying wife." (Commonwealth and Protectorate^ iii, 117.) 

' " What really took place on the night of the 8th was the gathering of a few 
isolated bodies of enthusiasts at their allotted stations, whilst the great bulk of 
the Royalists, refusing to sacrifice life & property in so harelirained an adventure, 
remained quietly at home. " {Commonwealth & Protectorate^ iii, 190.) 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 111 



W:Web: . . 


. . SI. 


M' EUiston . . 


. . 16:10. 


M'W:Harl . 


. . 25. 0. 


Edw: Brown . 


. . 20. 0. 


Major Hayns . 


. . 30. 0. 


In cash:. . . 


. . 15. 0. 




111.10. 



M" Maries 

land 
98/. 85. Od. 



Thus, though I am unprofitablef God is mindfull of mee, my heart 
is to love & serve him. 

This day, the Justice and I married Peg. Nevil to Butcher ; the April. 10. 
first I intermedled with since the late act * ; the report is of great 
officers made at London. 

This day wee went a great p^ of the bounds of Earles Colne, and May. 28. 
towards Gaine especially ; the season promises hopes of plentie. 

Heard, w* formerly I apprehended, y* Cromwell would bee stiled May. 30. 
Emperour. * 

A fast on the occasion of the Savoyards ; at the same time imp- June. 14. 
risonings of men at home on feare of plots'; horse raising in all 
counties of England. 

I blesse God for some affection stirring in mee towards his truth, June. 17. 
his people, the poore affiicted Savoyards * ; wee gathered this day 
for Savoy in publique 8/. 125. 2d.; the hand of God on mee for 
good ; Lord, thy love to mee ingageth my heart to thine, & what I 
can doe is thine ; made this collection, 91, 1 15. 8d. 

Preacht at Gaines Coin, y* quakers nest, but no disturbance; God July. 3. 
hath raised up my heart not to feare, but willing to beare, & to 
make opposicon to y' wayes in defence of truth ; it is an evill that 

* Passed in 1653, ordering all mariages to be solemnised before a Justice of the 
Peace. 

' *' There is good reason for believing that the preparation of the first great 
seal of the Protectorate was delayed because it was still uncertain whether the 
new title to be inserted was to be that of King or Emperor. " {Commonwealth & 
Protutorate^ iii, 161.) 

' Commonwealth and Protectorate^ 164. 

* The total amount collected in the country was ;C38,232. 



112 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

runs much in all places; some think it will bee dangerous to 
Cromwells interest, and is so ; God knows, I doe not, yett I think 
he feares them not, & perhaps y* clause in his declaration, not to 
disturbe y® minister in exercise, was to hint to them they might doe 
it after, if they would, securely, for y* is y' practice. 

July. 7. Major Haines expected at Coin, he came not ; y® Protector staid 
him above ; some eminent occasion surely interveneth ; the noise 
of his crowning is not as formerly, though nearer it may be than 
when most talked of. 

July. 8. I gathered this day for Mary Peake whose house was burnt 
down 31. 15s. 8^. 

July. IS. Those called Quakers, whose worke is to revile the ministry * 
made a disturbance at Cogshall, and were sent to goale ; oh, many 
f eare y* Quakers to ruine Cromwell ; tis not words y' alter governm**, 
and rout armies ; it must forme it selfe into a military posture first, 
and when that appeares, then enemies of y® state, disturbers of y® 
peace, seiseth on them. 

July. 28. The Quakers set up a paper on the church door at E. Coin. 

July. 29. This corner begins to feel y® Quakers ; some of y' heads its said 
are among us, the Lord bee our refuge ; an infallible spirit once 
granted them, what lies may they not utter, and what delusions may 
not poor men bee given up unto? Lord I see trialls, let me be 
fitted for them, and saved through them. 

Aug. 3. Heard my augmentation was taken from mee on a mistake, but 
was in good part resetled by Major Haines care. O' mouths ful of 
a great losse at Hispaniola. Perhaps it will make the good news 
that is coming more acceptable, and must rouse us up as Joshua 
at Ai. 

Aug. 7. Heard as if o' successe great in the West Indies & yett o' losse 

* " Not only did the Quakers scandalise the clergy by refusing, as Baxter puts 
it, to ' have the scriptures called the word of God ', but they railed at ministers 
as hirelings, deceivers, and false prophets, bursting into congregations and 
directing against the occupant of the pulpit such exclamations as ' Come down, 
thou deceiver, thou hireling, thou dog. ' They defended themselves on the 
ground of * the right of all religious persons to contribute to the edification of 
the assemblage. ' " {Commonwealth and Protectorate^ 197.) Not all who were 
called Quakers in those days were connected with the Society of Friends. 



RALPH JOSSELIN^S DIARY 113 

of San Domingo true; perhaps y^ was to ingage us the more 
earnestly agst Spain, & now if wee can but frame up a religious war 
of protestants agst papists, wee shall hinder the nacons from 
looking to y' ballancings each other, & ruining y® papists by y® 
helpe of protestants, who by y' shipps only can in reason hinder it; 
wee shall doe our business, & afterwards make y™ smart. 

The weeke past God good to mee & mine in many outward Aug. 19. 
mercies ; God left a young hog of mine to be bitten by Burtons dog ; 
it might have been worse ; they cut his eare & taile & threw him 
into the water. 

I was with M' Crane ; they kept y' day of thanks for y' delivery Aug. 27. 
from Colchester ; 3 of the nine dead, and 6 alive, M' Crane, Smith, 
Ayloffe, Eden, Barnardiston. 

A hog I had died, bit with Burtons mad dog ; blessed bee God Sept. 4. 
it was not a child. 

The W. Indie busines very dismall. Sept. 20. 

My good freind Major Haynes, ^ and M" H. with us. Nov. 1. 

Rd q£ ^re Haynes, 15/. — 10/. was part of augmentacon that Major Nov. 17. 
Haines procured for mee ; blessed bee God that any way provides 
for so unworthy a person. 

S*" H. Cromwell trounces y® Anabaptists in Ireland. Nov. 25. 

A fast publiqu, a cold day & thin audience. Dec. 6. 

Great rumo" of the Jewes being admitted into England *; hopes Dec. 16. 
y'by to convert them ; the Lord hasten y' conversion, and keepe 
us from turning. 

Jan : 26 : my 40 yeare enters, 1655. 

I desire to consider how my dayes passe, some thinke y' very 
world would end in 56, others the beginning of good dayes to the 
church,' but I expect troubles on y* earth and y'by persons making 

> He had been appointed Deputy Major General for Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex 
& Cambridgeshire. 

' Spanish and Portuguese Jews ** had for some years been stealing into 
England either to escape the terrors of the Inquisition or in pursuit of gain. '* 
{Commonwealth & Protectorate^ iii, 216) 

I 



114 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

themselves great, who in themselves or successors, will & shall 
deepely afflict the Lord. 

Feb. 10. Great noise of people called Quakers ; divers have fits about us. 
and y'by come to bee able to speake ; the Lord helpe us to stand 
fast against every evill and error. 

Feb. 16i Heard for certain y^ one Wade, a Quaker as called, comes to our 
toune. 

Feb. 20. The Protector & his counciU having, Aug : 19, 54, passed an 
ordinance to eject Ministers & schoolem*^, the Maj. gen. & his 
deputy required to put it in execucon * ; on y" foote the Commiss- 
ioners y' in named proceeded and began to act, calling on y* day 
all the Ministers, Lecturers, Curates & schoolm" through y® whole 
county to attend them at Chelmsford to give in under y' hands and 
churchwardens how they hold y' livings, and how long, w*** I 
thought was rigour, Exod. 1. 14. I was y', ye wayes wonderful 
dyrty, close, but it raind not ; God good to mee, but my mind was 
vain. M' Sparrow preacht, he commended & encouraged the 
Com" ; for my part I saw no beauty in the day, neither doe I joy 
to see ministers put under y* lay power, and thus on y' own head ; 
such is y* affection of some y* would bee counted the first freinds of 
God and religion, hoped wee should have been sent from thence to 
y* Barbados ; Lord remember us for wee are become a reproach. 

Feb. 24. Persons in this corner much withdraw from y® word ; mens 
minds unsound ; y"* is feare of Portugal, y* he will breake with us, 
and y^ by o' fleets miscarry for want of his ports ; s** Cromwell 
tooke his leave of Mountague ' in y® morning and then spent the 
day alone in prayer. 

Feb. 29. Heard they tooke up many loose wenches at London, to send 
over to Jamaica. * 

' " In all parts the Major Generals found it necessary to impart vigour to the 
Boards of Ejectors who had been appointed to carry out the ordinance of 1654 
for the ejection of scandalous or inefficient ministers who might have crept into 
cures during the times of anarchy. " {Commonwealth & Protectorate ^ iii, 239). 

' Edward Montague, who had been appointed' to accompany Blake in command 
of the fleet. 

> " It was at once rumoured that these women were to be sent to Jamaica, as 
the Dutch ambassador quaintly put it, to nurse the sick. " (Commonwealth & 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 115 

S* yt ye notioH of y* S* monarchy spreads very much in some March. 7. 
parts of Norfolke. 

Saw M' Bacon^ M' of requests; he saith o' fleet is gone with cou- March. 21. 
rage from Plymouth, 43 men of warre, 7 fireships, and victualers. * 

God hath entred mee on that stupendous yeare of 1656, of which March. 24. 
men have had strange thoughts and though I am not of their minde 1656. 
yet I expect notable effects, and the desire of my soule is towards 
the Lord to take an especiall care of mee. • 

W° I come to view my estate this yeare I find my receipts lesse View of 
by 10/. than last yeare, and my expenses about 5/. more, and yett Estate 
God increaseth my lot, above 70/. this yeare ; I have paid my debts, March. 2o. 
my stocke is not worth above 10/. : I count I am now out upon 
M" Maries land 103/. 65. 0^. her mother yet living and its not I that 
will repine at it ; God bee my porcon, and dayes to her ; I find my 
personal estate to amount unto 670/. ; this God hath given mee, and 
when he pleaseth he may call for it again. 

Heard & true y^ Turners daughter was distract in this quaking April. 9. 
busines ; sad are y^ fits at Coxall like the pow wowing among the 
Indies. 

Heard this morning that James Parnel the father of the Quakers April. 11. 
in these parts, having undertaken to fast 40 dayes & nights, was 
die. 10, in y* morning found dead ; he was by Jury found guilty of 
his own death, and buried in y® Castle yard. 

M' R. H. told mee as seing y* letter sent by Fleetwood to release April. 14. 
Parnel, but he was dead first ; had he been delivered y* triumph 
his partie would have made I Its s^ in y^ contry that his partie 
went to Colchester to see his resurrection again. 

About 100 dipt at Colchester by Tillam a papist convert as he June. 6. 
saith, if not still a Jesuite ; oh how giddy and unconstant people are. 

Protectorate J iii, 454. j The project appears to have been abandoned. 

Jamaica was not at this time an attractive island. " So deplorable did the 
situation appear about this time on the spot that widows of soldiers preferred to 
sell themselves into temporary servitude in other islands rather than keep their 
freedom on the accursed soil of Jamaica. " (Commonwealth and Protectorate^ iii 

454-) 

^ Commonwealth & Proteetorate^ iii, 473. 



116 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

June. 12. S** for certain the tax * out as formerly; much y* thoughts of 
persons were they would have doubled it ; s** also y^ its concluded 
about to call a parliament, and that its thought one cheife end is to 
raise more money by them upon y* subject. 

July. 5. Newes of another parliament to be called togither, Sept. next. 

July. 8. Heard how D' Owen endeavoured to lay down all y* badges of 
schoUers distinction in the universities, hoods, caps, gowns, degrees, 
lay by all studdie of philosophy ; he is become a great scorne, the 
Lord keepe him from temptacons. 

July. 17. Heard y* Spaniards routed y* ffrench at Valenchienne ' ; see y* 
issue of y* event. 

July. 25. Major Gen : Haines came well to us, heard by him the French 
had recovered & routed y* Spaniard. 

July. 31. M" Church sealed to mee a lease of y* land w*^** should bee mine 
after her decease at 18/. per annum ; the Lord make y* businesse 
comfortable to us both. 

Aug. 5. Made an end with Shawe ; he is to cutt no more wood nor dam- 
age the fence, he is to returne the timber to my dispose ; Roydon 
Bridge was witnes to this. 

Aug. 14. M' Harlakenden sold his hops for 720/. to M' Montjoy & run 
a halfe in them ; sweet showers, and dewing weather through 
mercy. 

Aug. 17. Constant rumours, as if divers old grandees that were common- 
wealths men were secured ; mens wayes are full of danger, y® great 
ones tumbling down one by another, y* sure standing, and safe 
onely in Gods pathes ; this day, Sam Burton, and lame Byat, while 
I was reading the chapter, were sitting in the maids seate and 
* made a disturbance ; the justice commanded the Constable to take 
them forth to the cage ; the mother went out of the church and 
tooke her son from the Constable, and said her housband paid scott 
and lott in the towne, and her son should sitt any where. 

Aug. 20. This day was appointed a day for y*^ choise of Parliam* men in 
all counties of England ', I sett it apart by prayer and meditacon 

' Assessment tax. 

* Commonwealh and Protectorate^ iii, 483. 

' Elections for the second Protectorate Parliament. 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 117 

to seeke God, Job. 22 ; latter p* much moved mee in perusing it in 
the feilds. 

The Sectaries did not very much appeare at Chelmsford, not a 
quaker in the feild ; noted to bee so ; one Loddington was in the 
head of that partie, which hindred tiie choice, that it could not be 
so effected that night, but was adjourned to the next day : between 
3 & 4 a remarkable crosse seen in the skie, see in my historical 
notes. O' choise was, 

S' Harbotle Grimston. M' Wakering. M' H. Mildmay. 

S' Thomas Honywood. M' Gob: Barrington. M' Carey Mildmay. 

S' Rich : Evered. M' 01 : Raymond. M' Archer. 

S' Tho : Bowes. M"" Templer. Maj : Haines. 

M' Turner. 

The Independ**. plotted much in y*^ choise but missed two men 
of y' company ; the choise to view is not very good nor very bad, 
a strange mixture of spirits ; Lord I cannot trust them with o' 
Gospel concemm^ but I will thee, and I trust y° wilt looke after 
them, and not suffer y® nacon to bee wrogt up by thes men into 
any evill w* soever. 

Heard togither That y* Venetians have given y* Turks a mighty Aug. 24. 
overthrow at sea : the Swedes have routed y* Polanders and 
retaken Warsow ; the Spaniards taken Conde town ; the Emp. 
army on y* March for Italy ; the English attempt and burning y« 
Spanish ships at Malaga, the choise of Members for parliam^ ; thes 
newes arrived to us in one weeke, with a report y' at Breme a 
voice was heard in the aire. Woe, Woe, Woe. 

Gave S' T. Honywood, the best, & most solemn advice I could ; Aug. 30. 
one J. Biford was clamoured on as a witch, and M' C. thought his 
child ill by it ; I could no way apprehend it, I tooke y* fellow alone 
into the feild, and dealt with him solemnely, & I conceive y^ poore 
wretch is innocent as to that evill. 

Rob: Abot sen : in the street told Tho. Harvy, ^* there cometh Aug. 31. 
your deluder." Lord, wee are a contempt and scorne, looke upon 
it, oh Lord, and heale it ; he sat on y^ horse blocke as people came 



118 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

to church ; M' H. spoke to him ; the Lord help us against thes 

growing evills. 
Sept. 4. I begun y* lecture at Wakes Colne ; God good t6 mee therin ; 

heard of a great plott discovered agst the protector ; said on 

y® K/of Scots interest whom Spain assists. 
Sept. 11. Heard S' H. Vane was sent to y* He of Wight to Carisbrooke 

Castle, the Kings prison, against whom he was a great agent. 
Sept. 17. This day appointed for parliam*, I set it apart to seeke God 

on their behalfe, y* they might be instruments for good if possible^ 

and not circumvented into evill. M' H. gave mee 3/. towards the 

5/. he promised mee for his hops. 
Sept. 18. 600 foot soldiers y^ came out of Scotland marcht through our 

town to Colchester ; great talke of CavaUer attempts again. 
Sept. 19. Heard on die. 17. D' Owen preacht on Isay. 14, 32 ; the Pro- 
tector made a long speech before the Pari : men in Painted 

Chamber ; orders were in Westminster hall that none should goe 

into house till after sermon. They say, above 160 were not allowed 

by the Councill to sitt, and none might enter without a ticket of 

allowance. 
Oct. 5. Sacrament of baptisme administred this day, in publiqu, which 

was not of a long time before in Colne. 
Oct. 8. This morning much overseen in my carriage to my deere wife ; 

the Lord pardon it to mee, my heart truly sorrowful. 
Oct. 22. A few souldiers quartered in o' Town. 
Oct. 26. Gave notice of y® fast, read the Declaration * ; the Lord good to 

mee in the word ; 
Oct. 30. A. P. fast. 
Oct. 31. In y® lane sett upon by one called a quaker, the Lord was with 

my heart that I was not dismayed ; I had some discourse with him, 

the Lord bee my helpe. 
Nov. 5. Kept a thanksgiving day for y* Spanish victory. 
Dec. 5. A strange darkenes at London like midnight at noone day ; it 

was a strange fogge. 

^ Probably the Declaration of the previous year, which forbade Royalists whose 
estates had been sequestrated, or who had taken part in the war under the late 
King, to keep arms in their houses or to maintain ejected clergy or schoolmasters. 



— -:::i 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 119 

Met upon an order from y* Com™ of approbation for Ministers at Jan. 14. 
London, about M' Rogers * in w*^** busines I desired to bee faithful 
to God & my heart, with tendernes to my brother. 

Heard Tillam, an Anabaptist pastor, had set up the practice of Jan. 23. 
the Satturday Sabbath and indulgeth those of his church that will 
to use y"^ trades ; it being y' Colchester market and observeth the 
Lord day. 

I heard nothing certain of D' Wright, by whose death the Jan. 25. 
schoole goeth from mee ; Lord how ever y" deale with mee y'in, 
y" shalt bee my God. 

When I review this yeare past in reference to the affaires of the Jan. 26. 
world I find things much at a stand, no new afiEaire breaking out 
but the attempt of the Moscovite against the Swede, which was no 
great affaire to view, no eminent turne of affaires in the world, 
except it were the going backe of the affaires of Swede in Poland ; 
the English tooke a prize from Spain ; in matters of religion the 
apostacy proceeds, the pretence of being specially directed by the 
spirit is drunke in by persons if almost any pretend therunto, and 
one Nailor * in England, was esteemed by some for the Christ, the 
King of Israel, for which a Parliament then sitting sentenced him, 
but no great discountenance put on the part by the Court ; they 
rather winke then frown, yea release them ; God in mercy thinke 
on us ; some sett up the Satturday Sabbath ; in reference to my 
outward affaires God good to us, and I find I am blessed by him ; 
my heart is open to God and charitable deeds as my estate is 
enlarged. I find my inward estate mixt of troubles, temptacons, 
feares and hopes, finding a refuge under Christs wings whither 
I desire continually to resort, a resolution in my heart to abide by 
the wP of God and his people through grace whatsoever cometh 
theron ; the Venetian gave the Turke a great route at^sea, and God 
sadly afHicts Italy with the plague ; the protestant troubles in 

^ Possibly John Rogers, the Fifth Monarchy preacher. 

' One of Fox early disciples ; Sentenced by Parliament ** to be branded, 
pilloried, whipped, and imprisoned at pleasure ; all the influence of the Govern- 
ment was required to save Naylor from capital punishment. C. Firth. Life of 
Cromwell. 



120 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

Savoy, and Switzerland make no noise, they are under some 
troubles in if ranee, the issue the Lord knoweth^ 

Jan: 26: 1656, my 41 yeare enters. 

The Lords presence bee with mee therin for good, my eye is on 

him for y* same. 
Jan. 30. Hints as if things wrought towards an extremity between the 

Protector & Parliament. 
Jan. 31. Heard certainly of D' Wrights hopeful recovery. 
Feb. 1. God good to mee this weeke in taking care of my livelyhood, in 

D' Wrights life, by whose death y* schoole had gone from mee, 

worth neare 70/. yearly to mee, and besides the comfort to teach 

my children, the feare also of a bad neighbo*^. 
Feb. 17. I was straitned for moneys, and this day God ordered it so that 

two schooleten** brought mee in neare seven pounds, blessed bee 

God, who hath not dried up y^ spring. 
Feb. 20. A day of thanks for y* deliverance of the protector from Sunder- 

combs ^ treason who poisoned himselfe. 

Feb. 27. Confident reports that Cromwell was proclaimed King, s* also 

wee & oth- ^ee shall have an House of Lords; some great alteration is in hand, 

ers naa ^yut what it will bee time will discover : only he hath outwitted his 

oamasKe 

rose buds ^^^^^^^s in former designes, and no duobt his purpose is the like, 

in February ^^^ none can outwitt the Almighty. 

March. 21. Report that wee list and raise men apace under pretence for 
Flanders. 

1657. 1657 

March. 25. When I come to view my estate this yeare, I find my expenses 
far deeper then divers yeares formerly, and my receipts more then 
ever, God bee blessed. Last year my estate was about 670/. I find 
I have about 590/. and I have p** for land to M' Butcher 150/. and 
to M' Weale 85/. which is in whole 235/. so y^ I have had a great 

^ He had attempted to kill Cromwell on his way to Hampton Court : failing in 
this, he attempted to set fire to Whitehall. 



RALPH JOSSELIN^S DIARY 121 

increase this yeare of 145/. or y' abouts, with the life & health of 
my family, no trouble in my estate ; the Lords love in Christ is my 
life and joy. I have received in to my hand M"* Maries land on 
which I am out 108/. 9s. This yeare 1657 is like to bee a boisterous 
yeare in the world. 

Talke now of a king, the Lord bee our king and lawgiver. March. 28. 

Divers men bustle to make X* king ; truly Cromwell will carry April. 17. 
it from him at present, but surely y^ is a time when X* shall reigne 
more then inwardly. 

Heard this weeke the men that are to make Christ King April. 19. 
were plotting agst the Protector, and that he seized on divers 
of them. 

Heard as if Blake desired landmen to attempt the Canaries. May. 7. 

At night M' Hubbard of London with mee to teach two boys at May. 15. 
31. per annum if they come. 

John Eldred a schoUer y* brought mee in 40s. yearly went from May. 23. 
mee ; the Lord will provide. 

Protector proclaimed at Halsted by y* Sheriffs. July. 17. 

. This day I publisht the act about the Sabbath, * the Lord doe Aug. 30. 
good by it. 

After hopes of a dry Sturbridge faire it rained very much, so that Sept. 9. 
the wayes were exceeding heavy and dirtie, M' H. had some hopes 
to make 500/. of his hops ; the last yeare he made 790/. 

A publiq fast in regard of the general visitacon by sicknes, w*-'*^ Sept. 30. 
was a feavo^ & ague very mortal in some places. 

Being up, & riving logs, M' EUiston came & told mee D' Wright Oct. 8. 
was most certainly dead, I had no warning of his sicknes, I was 
troubled that such a providence found mee not better imployed, 
and disposed, but I blesse God though I am like to loose 60/. per 
annum, yet y* is not much trouble. 

M' Cressener acquainted mee that my Lord of Oxfords Chaplain Nov. 3. 4. 
was come to town and he thought about the schoole. M^ R.H. 
made some proffers in it, and I desired to observe God therein, 
but my owne inclinations rather tend to lay it wholly by, desirous 

' An act to punish ale-house keepers for profaning the Sabbath by permitting 
swearing, drunkenness, gaming, etc, in their houses. 



122 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

God would open some helpe to mee in carrying on the worke of 
the ministry. 

Nov. 9. D' PuUein sent mee an offer to procure mee the schoole, if I 
would helpe him to his living ; I had no desire thereto. 

Nov. 17. M" Marg: Harlakenden having laid out 120/. at London, about 
wedding clothes, her father being exceeding angry, I appeased 
him, so that though he chid her by letter for her vanitie, yett he 
paid the scores 

Nov. 25. R** my copies of my two fift parts of y® farme on Colne Green 
from my Cosin Josselin ; y* purchase cost mee about 310/; God 
blesse it to mee & mine. 

Nov. 27. D' Pullein was with mee, shewed mee his grant from my Lord ; 
he lost the living, for which I am sorry, and I the schoole ; Gods 
will be done ; I doe not find any trouble on my spirit in it ; he 
desired mee to teach the schoole till spring for halfe the proffits ; I 
consented ; Lord I blesse thee for that Idndnes and mercy. 
Dec. 3. Spent some time in prayer at M' Cresseners, the Lord good to 
mee y'^ in ; about y* time at London, D*" PuUein^s busines was put 
to that issue, that if y* Earl of Oxford would stand by his present- 
aeon of D' Pullein, he might come into his living ; the Lords name 
bee praised for this kindnes, the issue is in thy hand, oh Father. 

Dec. 5. Riding over to the Earl of Oxfords to Bently hall, and speaking 
with D' Pullein, a full issue was put to that treaty about the 
schoole ; I not having it, in w^*» disposall of God I desire to bee 
satisfied, and sitt down contentedly, knowing that he will order 
and direct every thing for good to mee ; I was very sicke at night 
and vomited, which I judged a mercy to mee. 

Dec. 8. Talke as if some uprore in y* kingdom, the militia horse suddenly 
called togither and the army foot called of again towards the sea. 

Dec. 12. Saw a booke esp : of Welsh prophecies, which asserts that 
Cromwell is the great Conquer*^' that shall conquer Turke and Pope. 
I have many yeares on scripture grounds and revolutions judged 
him or his goverm* and successors, but esp. my heart fixt on him, 
to bee most great ; but sad will bee things to S^ and him ; this 
booke of prophecies giveth mee no satisfaction, but perhaps may 
sett men a gadding to greaten him. 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 123 

M" Margaret Harlakenden married to M' John Eldred ; her Dec. IS. 
father kept the wedding three dayes, with much bounty ; it was 
an action mixed with pietie and mirth ; die. 18, the company de- 
parted the priory. God gave an emin* answer of prayer to him & 
mee in providing her so good an housband beyond expectation ; 
M' Bridegroom gave mee 1/. & M' H. 1/. God in mercy requite 
their love and bounty. 

If it bee worth writing this tels y* raisins of y* sun were sold at Dec. 27. 
12, 14, 16, 18d. per pound. 

Received an order to bee an Assistant in Ejecting of Ministers & Jan. 8. 
schoolem" for insufficiency ; had the offer of two schoUers, which 
I undertake to teach ; the Lord helpe mee in all my callings. 

This day was the last of my 41 yeare, in which God hath been Jan. 25. 
with mee and blessed mee, and though D' Wrights death cutt mee 
short in the schoole, yett I find my heart quiett, rowling it selfe on 
God, and no way questioning his providence to take care of mee. 
God hath given mee three children instead of 3 more which I had 
buried, and thus my dreame of 3 shoots in my parlor cutt down 
and growing up againe is made good. 

Abroad in the world matters are likely to bee sad, yet I find not 
the apostacy to increase ; this yeare the Emp. of Germany died, 
and no other yet chosen in his stead ; his son the K. of Hungary 
assisted Poland, wherby the Swedes are driven into Prussia. The 
P. of Transilvania forced to retreate home, and was deposed for his 
attempt to please y® Turke. Brandenburg made peace with the 
Pole and left Swede. The Moscovite was in a manner quiet this 
summer, yet the Swede brusht him a little in Livonia. Denmarke 
invaded the Swede in Bremeland, to his losse in Juitland ; the 
Hollander proclaimed warre agst Portugal & tooke p^ of the Brasile 
fleete. The English assisted France agst Spaine & gott footing in 
Flanders, the Venetians beate y* Turke, but in the winter he regai- 
ned some lies as Tenedos ; the Turke hath issue male. The Q. of 
Spain delivered of a sonne, y^ King 53 yeares old and no son til 
now ; the affaires in Italy & Catalonia not very boisterous. The 
Spaniards invaded Portugal by land & tooke some places ; thus 
warre breaks out, but no eminent matter was done in the world ; 



124 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

the English Protector setled by Parliam^ and a house of Lords in 
title erected January 20th. 

Jan: 26, 1657, my 42 yeare enters. 

Jan. 26. Sensible this days ended my 41 yeare and begun my 42 : the eye 
of y* Lord bee on mee for good through the same. 

Jan. 28. Old Robert Abbott of o' town, being arrested by M' H. for his 
tithes, w*^*^ come to 3/. and which he might have received within 
20s. went to prison, refusing to appear by an attorney ; poore 
person he accounts to pay or take tith is to deny X^ come in the 
flesh, and is as outwardly bold and confident in his suffering, as if 
some g^ service for X^ ; Lord leave mee not under y* power of a 
delusion. 

Feb. 2. Reported & afterwards confirmed by letter that the Protector had 
on Thursday before dissolved the Parliam*. which was true ; wee 
shall see what he intends, and what successe his affaires have abroad. 

Feb. 14. Times are sad in regard of the rupture of Parliam* ; some great 
thing likely to bee acted in the goverm', yet wee are secure ; s** the 
Protector demands great sums of mony of y* City, 1,300,000/. 

Feb. 22. I bestowed on my daughter Jane a silver tankard cost 4/. 16s., on 
John a porringer cost 36s w'^of M" Eldred gave him 32s, & on An 
a spoone of 10s. w*^*^ M" Abbott gave her, the first plate of value 
y^ ever I bought ; this day D' Pullein here ; he hired the Justices 
house, and intends to come over very speedily ; though the schoole 
bee a great losse unto mee, yet God will provide for mee, and 
perhaps it may tend very much to my good and my childrens & 
many others. 
March. 2. Wee buried An Williams at o' chardge ; it cost us 16s. 
March. 15. Newes of dangers at home by risings, & from Spain by landing 
men out of Flanders. 

1658. For my outward estate, I am out on M" Maries 

March. 26. Lands as last yeare only I have paid for the land ( ^qq 7 ^ 
on the Green, and all charges : it amounted in 
whole unto. 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 125 

I have paid all my debts^ and owe not 5*. any where that I know 
of, for w*^^ perticular moneys are not assigned, & laid by ; my stocke 
is about 68 ; that I desire to preserve as an estate for my children 
which is more then I had in all last yeare. I have gathered 36/. 
towards Tom's prentiseship, and assigned the arrears of my augmen- 
tation due Sept. 29, past, all rents, and moneyes due on bond until 
this time which I hope will make y^ sum up an 100j£. This yeare 
was deepe in expences costing mee about 110/ and yet I blesse 
God I received in about an 100/. more unto my estate ; this is Gods 
blessing alone : his good will with what I have is better then lands 
& treasure : God hath added a child to my number ; I intend hence- 
forward to bring into one receipt all my arreares of tith, quarters, 
augmentation, and what ariseth from my ministerial imploiment 
towards my housekeeping ; which if it effect and adde but 10/. 
yearely to my estate I shall have no thoughts of any thing but bless- 
ing God in reference to my estate ; however I shall endeavo' to 
bee thankfull & contented. 

What ariseth out of my own private estate, the tenth deducted 
as formerly, I desire to lay by intire for the good of my family. I 
have about 3/. in cash for my expence, and good round summes 
in arreares. I committ my wayes unto thee, I pray thee smile 
upon mee. 

I gathered this day for the Poles, and Bohemians y^ Were April. 18. 
massacred & turned out of all for religion sake, and the 
hand of God was with mee for good ; wee gathered 6/. 9s 
lOrf, ob. 

A day of fasting in regard of a sicknes very generall in London May. 19. 
and many places in the contry. 

This day D' PuUein came to Towne ; he is our schooleM'. July. 9. 

Dismist my schoUers to D' PuUein. July. 12. 

I preacht at the sessions on Isay. 53. 10. July. 13. 

Cromwell died, people not much minding it. Sept. 3. 

I was at Sturbridge faire ; M" Haynes sent my wife 4 paire of Sept. 8. 
gloves for a fayringe. 

Very wett weather ; newes scattered of the new Protector's Sept. 12. 
sicknes, which proved not true. 



126 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

Sept. 19. S^ Baxter * is dead, a great pillar to Cromwell and his way ; but 

not so. 
Sept. 25. Heard wheat was in Bedfordshire 11". bushel ; with us it is 7s.; 

this scarcity on a suddain, when there never was a more hopeful 

crop on the ground : but by laying & mildewing the strong corns, 

a wind that beate out aboundance, and wett in the harvest that 

spoiled much, this dearth came unexpected. 
Oct. 17. Our officers punish t some travellers, a new worke with us. 
Oct. 19. D' Pullein told mee he would allow me 22/. 10s. Od, for my pains 

in teaching the schoole. 
Nov. 3. Sent o' squirrel to the Countesse of Oxford, who sent for it, and 

sent us a silver tankard worth about 3/. 10s. I esteemed it a mer- 
ciful providence to us. 
Dec. 8. Susan Hadley begun her yeare, wee are to give her 40*, and I 

promise her 4 paire of shoes, if shee give mee & her M" content. 
Dec. 11. M" Harlakenden the younger bestowed a silver candlestand, and 

porringer cover on my daughter Mary, whom shee named. 
Dec. 20. This morning about 6 of the clocke M" Church died. 
Dec. 24. M" Churchs busines I suppose may bee 50/. advantage unto mee; 

besides it leadeth mee into her daughters estate ; Lord lett mee 

receive a thankful heart to hono*^ thee with all, for thou art he alonq, 

who carest for me. 
Dec. 28. K^ chosen at Chelmsford, M' Charles Rich, & M' Turner, a 

choice not well rellisht by many honest men, but God knowes what 

is best. 
210 voices carried an election, Turnor that had most had not 

240 ; divers elections were on this day, called Innocents day. Will 

the Pari: bee harmelesse, or suffer themselves, or make others doe 

so ? secreta tibi deus mi I 
Jan. 4. 5. These dayes by a very strange and wonderfull providence of God 

I agreed for the farme on the Greene with the Nevils, and had an 

estate in all the coppie hold, very lovingly and quietly. 
Jan. 23. Remembered the Parliament that most forgett, and very few so 

much as speake of them ; a spirit of slumber and remissnes is 

wonderfully upon the nation. 
^ Richard Baxter. 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 127 

Jan : 26 : 1658, my 42 yeare ended and 43 entred. 

This day was pleasant, I was working abroad, and visiting freinds; Jan. 26. 
I am ful of busines about my farme, the Lord plant, worke with 
mee, or all is vain. 

I earnestly sought God to direct mee in my going or staying at Jan. 30. 
Colne ; things seeme to worke out my remove, and my heart is 
much loosned from y® place. 

M' Butcher came from Hinningham with an offer of that place Jan. 31. 
unto mee ; M' Harlakenden of the Priory entertaind it very heavily, 
and when I told him I would not leave it for means, he offered 
mee an 100/. to apend in 5 yeares as a further addition ; but Feb: 1, 
he came up and left against my will 50/. with my wife, as mine if 
he or I died, but if wee lived as an engagem* for 2 yeares and half e 
until Sept : 29. 61, and then if he did not purchase 20/. yearly and 
adde to my means, if hving, he would raise and pay out of his 
estate 20/. yearly, — an act of love not easily matcht, evidencing his 
zeale to God and love to my ministry ; o Lord might but Colne 
proffit by my ministry, 1 should exceedingly rejoyce. Wee mett 
this day, but no body did mention any thing unto mee ; I shall 
patiently observe what Golne will say to mee. 

I gathered this day to rebuild a church 1 Is. 1^/; oh how lamely chari- Feb. 20. 
ty goeth on such errands, though I prest the worke and exampled it. 

Heard of the taking Coppenhagen * and the sad slaughter made March. 13. 
there ! blessed bee God for Englands peace. 

A litle past nine a messenger from London brought mee letters ac- March. 25. 
quainting mee with my deare freind Harlakendens dangerous sicknes 
at Worcester; my heart feared y* worst, and indeed then he was new 
dead. I went down to y* priory, and acquainted M' H. with it, who 
was striking at a mole; he was troubled, but hoped; my heart utterly 
under feares; I resolved for London and Worcester, knowing it my 
duty to my freinds and Christs serv^ and committed my self e to God 
with a sicke servant & 2 poore horses and rid from one a clocke til 
past 8, to Burntwood, where 1 received a letter y^ poore M" Har- 
lakenden was that day gone from London towards her housband. 

j 

^ Frequently besieged but not taken by Charles X. of Sweden. I 



128 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

1659. Nic. y® man with-mee being very ill and providence thus turning, I 

March. 26. returnd towards Colne and mett M' Eldred & Elliston from M' Had. 
desirous some one should goe on. I went, and camt that night 
weary, and sicke with winde to Beaconsfeild, and mist M" H., who 
hearing on the road the death of her housband, returnd to Uxbridge. 

March. 27. Being Lords day I rid io Aynstone in Oxfordshire, the Lord 
pardon it to mee. It was a worke of mercy ; I hoped though I 
brake the Sabbath, in that I was, as y** preists killing sacrifices, 
blamelesse ; men and horses grew better. 

March. 28. Monday towards 4 of y* clocke heard at Stowton just by Wood- 
bridge of M' H. death which was a sad cutt to my heart ; but his 
gain was death, though my losse. 

March. 29. I did w* I could in his busines to prepare for return, visited 
Worcester, and stood by the Severne. 

March. 30. Ned M' H. man returned from London with an herse to convey 
M' H. body, w*'^ was embalmed and his bowels buried in Kemsey, 
unto Earles Colne. 

March. 31. Wee sett out our jorney, about 30 horse accompanying o' herse ; 
wee arrived that night late at Aynstone. April : 1, at Beaconsfeild. 
2, I turned in to see sad M" Harlakenden whose only daughter 
Mary had newly had the small pox, and came in a dismal tempest, 
wherin God safely preserved mee and comforted my heart, to 
Romford where wee rested Ap : 3. the Lords day. 
April. 4. Wee came to Colne, not one freind meeting us on the way. 
April. 5. I buried my deare freind with teares & sorrow & laid his bones 
in his bed. 

When I come to view outward things I find divers deare freinds dead, 
especiall my deare and never to bee forgotten Harlakenden, an estate 
of lands coming into my hands so that I may estimate my lands, viz. 

John Crows worth 21/. 8s. 0. 

Toms & my close 5. 10. 0. 

Sprigs Marsh 3. 0. 0. 

BoUinhatch 7. 16. 0. 

Tibbalds 47. 0. 0. 

I am much in debt, but I have mony enough 84. 14. 0. 



RALPH JOSSELIN^S DIARY 129 

owing unto mee to clear all my debts, and an 100/. in my purse ; 
this is the Lord's bounty ; teach mee to serve thee with a glad and 
thankfull heart according to thy great goodnes ; I found this yeare 
I saved some mony, and I hope have gaind acquaintance with and 
experience of God. 

Heard the army had dissolved the Pari : agst the consent of the April. 23. 
Protector, * seized Thirloe, and some others ; it looks sadly. 

Assured that the Protector had consented to the army to dissolve April. 27. 
both houses of Parliam^. 

Heard a sad account of things at London, Protector deserted, April. 30. 
army divided ; this selfe seeking, deceitful crew are likely to 
receive the recompence of their deceits wherin they have disported 
themselves. 

The decimated * men confined to y"^ houses & 5 mile for 31 days. May. 5. 
Lord, it's mercy I am not an ingaged man in thes hurries. 

Matters very quiet in England, Cromwells family under much May. 8. 
odium for tiranny &c. 

God good to us in o' outward mercies ; men gaze on this change, May. 22. 
sectaries rejoyce, others gaze, even all are secure ; our society 
roundly togither at the Lords table, the Lord accept of us, and doc 
us good. The Lord is calling up my son Tom to London, Lord 
goe thou with him. 

I and my sonne being Wednesday in Whitsonweeke sett forwards May. 25. 
for London, wee had sweet shoures before & so coole but dry ; Tom. 
riding all the way wee came safe to London 26; on Thursday that ^Ppr^"^*ce 
afternoone Tom at M' Jo. Cresseners putt on his blue apron. I 
did all M" Harlakendens busines. My son is to serve 8 yeares ; 
his time will expire May 1, 1667 ; in a good time I hope y^ 
Lord sparing his life. Lord make him like Joseph a blessing to 
his M'. 

M' R. H. made a bequest of the great tithes to mee & the minist- June. 4. 
ers of Colne. 1 rejoyce when I draw on any publiq good. 

' Third Protectorate Parliament dissolved by Richard Cromwell, April 22, 
when he threw in his lot with the army. 

' An income-tax of lo per cent, known as the Decimation had been levied from 
the Royalists. 

J 



130 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

June. 11. This day Tom returned from London ; it was a sad amazing 

providence to mee but more to my deare wife, God sanctiiie all. 
June. 12. The small pox came out on Tom, Lord bee mercifull to him, and 

spare him for his name sake. 
June. 15. Toms pox came out after a treacle possett ; at night they began 

to run. 
June. 16. Heard so much of Toms foolishnes at London, y* cutt my heart. 
June. 26. God good to mee in the preservacon of my family. Tom came 

down into y* hall this day. 
June. 28. Made an end of haying from Sprigs Marsh, whence I had about 

20 tons hay this yeare. 
July. 9. Bought and brought home 3 cowes one pigge and one wennel 

from Scots, they cost mee 13/. 13s. 4rf. ; God blesse them unto mee. 
July. 10. God good to mee in many outward mercies. Tom hearing at the 

church window. 
July. 17. In some perplexitie about my son, his M' not being willing to 

take him. 
July. 21. I began to raise my little house in the orchard, I intend it (if God 

please) for a retiring, meditating place to contemplate and view my 

God with delight in his word and works and doings in the world ; 

other uses will fall in. 
July. 30. Alarmed with the Cavaliers intention to make a rising ; the 

Councill of State gave it ; God in mercy secure our peace ; this was 

some disturbance to mee on the Lords day. 
Aug. 10. Our county gentlemen are putting the county into a posture of 

defence. 
Aug. 16. Spent this day in prayer at M' Littells on behalf of the nation, 

that God would restore our peace, prevent the effusion of bloud ; 

I spake from 1 Sam. 30. 6 ; at night wee were alarmd ; the enemy 

up in Norfolke« and the prince landed or upon landing. 
Aug. 20. The season wett ; our parts quiett ; the country filled with very 

strange amazing reports which were invented to disturbe people, & 

putt on others to action. 
Aug. 21. A quaker wench came boisterously into y* church up almost to 

the deske, I perceived persons expected some disturbance, but shee 

staid y® end & then went out quietly, blessed bee God. 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 131 

It was a sad time in Cheshire, and indeed the kingdom full of Aug. 23. 
distractions. 

The land again quiet ; the souldiers ordered to their old quarters Aug. 28. 
in our parts. 

This day a publiq fast, Aug. 31. 

Heard by M' R. H. that y* army had on Wednesday, 12, inter- Oct. 14. 
rupted the Parliament. O' sins threaten our mine, but in all shak- 
ings God is y^ same, & he will doe for his name sake ; it was done 
Thursday 13, and Lambert the cheife agent in it ; some treaty for 
accomodation was, but it ended in a dissolucon die. 15®. 

Bat. Hatch begun his yeare Octob: 14: and is to continue until Oct. 16. 
octob: 13, at night, 1660. he is to have 10^. per diem every 
working day, ' and 2 meales meate in the weeke. 

Rid in y* wett to Hinningham ; y* country discontent, but very Oct. 25. 
still, and secure, yett serious men profess to expect sad & Strang 
actings ; but y® feare is overly. * 

By letter I find a place provided for my son at London ; God Nov. 5. 
command his blessing therein for him. 

This day my deare son Thomas rid towards London, to bee an Nov. 8. 
apprentice ; the God of heaven bee with him. 

ffrost continued but no violence, a very sweet season, a quiet Nov. 20. 
time in the nacon, yet mens minds exceedingly discontent ; the 
souldiers at present give law unto us, God give a law to us all ; my 
son Tom arrived safe at London. 

Rid towards London, about busines of great import for M" Har- Dec. 12. 15. 
lakenden wherin God prospered mee ; I bound also Tom to M' ^^^^"^ 
Tooky ; his time expireth if God lengthen his life, and he doe well, ^^ ^^' 
June 24, 1667, the day the new Parliam* was proclaimed ; the city 
very full of tumults. 

Heard the officers who entred into so high an agreem^ Dec: 22, Dec. 26. 
on the next day, being 23, came & gave up their commissions to the 
speaker ; I hope it is for good ; and that y* care of y* army was by 
him left at present unto Okey and Allured, and London very quiett. 

' In 1 65 1 the wages of labourers had been fixed by justices of the peace at 
IS. 2d. a day. 
' Exaggerated. 



132 RALPH JOSSELIN^S DIARY 

Jan. 6. Con try ful of reports, y* y* secluded members arm to enforce y' 
admission ; y* city for a full & free Parliam^ ; Lambert marching in 
hast to London ; Lord wee are thine save us. 

Jan. 8. Things in the nacon quiet, the souldiers submitting to the Parliam^ 

Jan. 15. The season very vehement cold ; this hard weather hath con- 
tinued from Novemb: 11 till now. General Monck is coming up to 
London, wee shall see to what intent. 

Jan. 25. When 1 looke back into y* world I find nothing but confusions, 
hopes of a peace between Spain & France, but sad wanes in the 
North, the Swedes bustling as a rod tearing the flesh 'of the nacons, 
but not advantaging themselves ; o' poore England unsetled, and 
her physitians hitherto leading her into deepe waters. Cromwells 
family cast down with scorne to the ground, none of them in com- 
mand of imployment ; the nacon looking more to Charles Stuart, 
out of love to themselves not him, the end of thes things God only 
knoweth ; wee have had confusions in England, the issue God only 
knoweth. 

Jan : 26 : 59, my 43 yeare complete, & 44. entring. 

Jan. 26. This day I reckon my birth day, I preacht at Wakes church, 
snowy, the way bad, twice I slumpt in & was wett. 

Feb. 3. Tibbalds and I had discourse about y* farme for 6 or 9 yeares. 

Tibbalds He is to have Crows, Sawyers, Bridgmans, 2 sonnels, Hobstevens 

agrem . ^ yc meadow : only I am to have y* pightell * by M*" Littels, & 2 
acres in Hobstevens, and passage ; the rent 60/. per annum, about 
3/. lords rent, pay tithes, ditch 30 rod every yeare, allow 2 load 
logs, 1 of small wood. 

Feb. 12. A sad and troublesome time at London, the Parliam^ much dis- 
pleased with the city and shewing it. 

Feb. 14. Heard that Monke had declared for & with the city for a free 
parliam*. 

Feb. 24. Heard Yorkshire were up and headed by L** Fairfax, declaring 
for a free parliam*, and until then pay no taxes, expecting the like 
through y* nacon ; secluded members admitted into the house. 

^ Small meadow. 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 133 

Worcester jorney. 

M" Harlakenden & I, with her kinswoman & manservant, sett March. 15. 
out in her fathers coach for Wittam wither wee came safe, yett o*" 
wayes excessive dirty ; our coach from London came into o' inn 
before }'* returne of the other ; two mercies God afforded us, safety 
and protection on the road, conveniences and quiett at o*" inn, 
whither wee came alwayes in good time ; no raine to trouble us but 
one day which I desire to acknowledge as Gods great goodnes. 1 6, 
wee dined at Burnt wood ; that day afforded a providence not to 
bee forgotten of mee but especially of M" H : wee came early to 
London, and then to businesse, all which I dispatcht at London 
not only to our content, but to o' dehght, but the weather was so 
stormy, that it was thought o' jorny was not to bee performed. 18, 
I preacht twice, dined with the L'* Major ; Lord give a blessing to 
the word. 20***, a day that lighted my heart in its providence, 
though I apprehended hazard to mee by cold, and I was in great 
danger at Stow to have been spoiled by the coach, yett God pre- 
served mee, and none of us tooke any considerable cold in the 
jorny ;o' law triall putt of; 21**, wee sett out for o' jorny ;o' 
coachman encouragd by the stage coach for Worcester, wee arrived 
at o' jorneys end March 24**» and found all well. 25, I preacht 1660. 
twice, y® minist. desirous to leave all his worke on mee, and I very 
readie ; God moved and startled people, they said those sermons 
would not bee forgotten ; God grant they bee practised ; 26, 27, wee 
had but one tenant with us ; riding out into the meadow by Severn 
M" H. resolved to returne on Friday seing there was no busines. 
I prayed her patience & submission to Gods will ; at night one came 
to us with whom wee could never agree, yett afterwards divers did 
to o*" very great satisfaction. 29, I preacht the Lecture, I hope 
with some successe as also April 1, twice ; on Monday wee kept the 
Court, very quietly, and 3, dispatcht o' busines and returnd to London 
April. 7***, and so home to Colne April 10***, praise to the name of 
my gratious God, where I found all well and safe, for which my 
soule blesseth him. 

When I come to view my outward estate I find my lands as for- April. 14. 



134 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

merly. I have paid of divers great debts, putt out my son Tom 
prentice which cost mee in mony & clothes about an 100/, ; I have 
done very much in repaire and cost on my farmes, and begun to 
stocke one ; I am now in debt as in my blew booke 150/. 45. 6d. I 
guesse not 205. more that I know of in the world, and there is 
owing unto mee, 314/. 155. Od, ; my stocke is worth about 25/. in 
cowes, hogs, corne on the ground ; so God enlargeth my tedder * 
daily, yearly. Lord enlarge my heart for thee and thy service, 
and continue to blesse mee and mine indeed, and my soule shall 
praise thee. 
April. 17. O' choise of K*" at Chelmsford, where I saw an evidence of Gods 
providence in ruling the world in the disorders and confusions of 
publique meetings ; the Godly partie lost their choice, but God will 
not loose his right. 
April. 23. Heard Lambert made head in opposicon to the present power, 
and really appeard in Northamptonshire. 24, heard at dinner that 
he was taken and it proved true, quicke and short worke. 
April. 25. Parliam* began ; if wee judge of the temper of the houses (the 
Lords house satt) by the ministers they choose to preach unto 
them, it presents hopes, being Calamy, Gaudon, Baxter. 

May. 6. The spring very excellent ; the nacon runneth into the King 
as Israel to bring backe David ; Lord make him y® like blessing to 
our England, and let Gods counsell bee in the worke. 

jorney. Set forwards for London whither I came safe and thence to 

May. 11. Greenwich. 12, at night to my deare Harlakenden. 13, 1 preacht 
at Greenwich & prayed by name for K. Charles. 14, I was at 
Eltham in Kent. 15, God gave us a verdict in trial ags* o' 
adversary at Guildhall barre. 16, I was with deare Harl. again 
and returnd from her. 17, God counsell and keepe her safe and 
make her a prosperous person. 18, returned to my dearest wife 
and found her and all well. 

June. 3. Y® King returned in safety, and with hopes of being a blessing 
to the nacon. 

June. 6. Rid to lay claime to the Kings pardon before y« Maior of 
Colchester. 
• Tether. 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 135 

A great calme in y^ contry. The Kings proclamacon agst June. 10. 
debaucht courses a cutt to the gentry of England ; oh Lord make 
him a nursing ffather to thy people. 

A time wherin great armies are on foot, and yett an actuall June. 13. 
cessacon of lighting in all Europe, except some thing between y^ 
Moscovite & Pole, the Turke and the Transilvanian ; after this 
calme, perhaps some very sudden storme. 

This day about a quarter before 3, my wife was delivered of her June. 20. 
ninth child, and 5^ daughter Elizabeth ; God enter into covenant 
with it, and make it his own. 

A day of praise for the Kings returne, I preacht on 2 Chron. June. 28. 
17. 6, putting on people to pray that mercies may lift up o' hearts 
in the ways of God ; my spirit in a very wretched temper. 

Ministers pittif ully put out of their livings while others advanced. July. 22. 
O' schoolem' D' Pullein s^ to bee made Bp of London-Derry. 
L^ helpe mee to serve and trust in thee for thou art my hope ; 
heard of threatnings against mee, but y® Lord is a sheild to mee 
who never sought the wrong of others. 

Heard divers of my freinds and neighbo" in trouble. Lord July. 24. 
helpe them out by spirit, freinds, providences, and doe them 
good. 

O' D' Pullein s** to bee Arch Bp of Tuam, a place in Conaught. July. 29. 

The Arch Bp of Tuam with us; people wonderfully neglect y® Aug. 12. 
Sabbath, and yett God holds his hand. 

Rumourd as if some stirs in Ireland agst Bp** and service- booke. Aug. 17. 
Y^ King moulds the English army to his absolute commands, but 
Gods hand is over & above all. 

Heard of the death of my wives Uncle Shepheard, w' by a close Aug. 20. 
fell to my wife worth about 50/. 

D' Pullein now an Arch Bp being to remove from us, occasioned Aug. 26. 
great feastings, which are vain tainting things to o' minds ; God in 
some measure abased my heart. 

Monke, Duke of Albemarle made Lieu*** of Ireland. 

Preacht at Colchester for M' Stockdale ; God good to mee going, Aug. 29. 
and returning ; dined with M' Mayor ; s^ the act of indemnity past. 
Talke as if the honest partie were in hazard of a massacre ; I feare 



136 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

some jealous hearts are foolishly at worke ; I cannot thinke such a 
wickednes. 

This day the King passed the act of pardon ; I was glad I was 
so well imployed on a day when so memorable an act was past. 
Sept. 15. Heard of the death of the Duke of Gloucester second brother to 
y« King, who died of y*^ smal pox, Sept. 13, and lately before, 
Esme Stuart the Duke of Lennox, and this day, sister Bridge. 
Sept. 27. In the morning the bullock gave bloud, her bag swelled and so 
hedge continued bloud on that bigge till Oct. 17; wee found y*' hedge hog 
hogge i^ ye feiid oct. 4 & kild it. 

Oct. 5. This day Grace Newton begun her yeare, shee is to have 50s., 
God make her a good servant. 

Oct. 11. This day I paid 1/. I2s, 6d, for my pole tax. I paid it once 
formerly in 41, as I remember, this rate unusuall twice in an age ; 
its ground is to disband the army, God in mercy send us peace. 

Oct. 17. Heard y^ Harrison, and Carew, two of y® Kings Judges were 
executed but to that day 8 in all were executed, Jo : Cooke, Hugh 
Peters, Tho. Scot, Gregory Clement, Jo. Jones, Adrian Scroope. 

Oct. 27. Said the busines of Hides daughter and the Duke of York was 
looked on by the King as one of his greatest afflictions ; its said a 
contract, and marriage is pretended ; Hides ruine is apprehended. 
The Queen was sent for to France ; said to be come ; God preserve 
the King ; all ended faire among them. 
Dec. 2. God good to us in many mercies ; Gospell liberties and free- 
dom yet continued ; feares on many, said lists are taken of the 
fanatique, and all honest men that are not as formal as others are so 
accounted. 

Dec. 24. This day I preacht a sermon of Christ from Jo : 3. 16 ; divers not 
there and some in there antique postures. 

Jan. 13. Some stirs at London ; Lord doe not give us up to error, it 
makes men mad ; how furious were the fift monarchy men at 
London a few dayes past, running greedily into ruine ; Lord lett 
not particular mens folly bring a generall trouble on them that 
desire to feare thy name and bee quiet. 

Jan. 20. A restraint put on publiq, private meetings ; all forbidden but in 
some church or parochiall chappell. 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 137 

Jan : 26 : 1660, my 45 yeare entreth. 

Lord bee with mee according to thy wonted mercy and goodnes. 

A Fast to lament the Kings death. Jan. 30. 

Said on this match profferd by Portugall y* the King is married Feb. 24. 
to the Princesse de Ligne ; oh Lord what is doing in the world. 

This day I heard and then saw the youth openly playing at catt March. 10. 
on the green ; I went up, rowted them ; y*^ fathers sleeping in the 
chimny corner ; Lord heale through grace these disorders. 

Children very profane ; their parents sitt at home, and they play March. 17. 
in the streets openly at catt and other sports. 

Rid to choose K*" of the shire ; wee lost it, and my heart quiet ; 1661. 
the Lord liveth and reigneth, and, if he putt his own servants and March. 27. 
things on suffering, his will bee done. Went on to London ; 
returned safe, 30. 

When I come to view my expences I find March. 31, 

I have laid out 233/. 9s. 6d. ob. 

I have received in all receipts whatsoever 
only 146. 16. 0. 

But my stocke w*^** I valued last yeare at 
25/. is worth now about 35/. so though I 
have laid out, 87. 6. 5. ob. more then received, 
yett on the whole matter I am not abated in 
my stocke above 50/. and in lieu of that I am 
sure I have laid out above 80/. on the house 
on the green. 

My roll of debts as in the blew booke are 

about , . . 80/. 

Owing unto me 167. 10. 0. 

I have in cash towards my building about 50/. and my uncle 
Shepheard being dead, I have a meadow befalls my wife worth 
about 50/. more which when it cometh into my hand I shall value. 

This day I sent out a trained armes ; its Gods mercy to estate April. 11. 



138 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

me for such a service, though its hard to presse a minister to the 
uttermost. 
April. 21. Sad discourse in y® nacon, y« Lord prevent o' troublesom feares. 
April.22.23. Dry, to serve the pompous shew, and coronacon at London. 
May. 3. Rid into London and saw the triumphal arches, stately vanity ; 
no rich cost ; in y® front of one, besides Heathnisme, y' is y" 
troubled mee. 

A statue of K. James In y^ midle above Of K. Charles 

promin' a death 
statue of Charles 

Divo Jacobo. Imperium sine fine dedi. Divo Carolo. 

divers sad perticulars on y® face of y® arch. The high motto being 
Eu quo discordia cives, &c. On y* side of Charles, y' was an 
effigie of stakes and fagotts to burne people, of y* heads of y® 
regicides on poles, and warrelike instrumts broken. 

Reported y* Portugal princesse will become protestant & goe to 
Chappell with the King : a Spaniard protestant. 

May. 7. Rid to London on w*'^ day the citie force mustred in Hide parke 
where a remonstrance was gott of the souldiers for restoring Bp". 
8, the King in great state rode to parliam* ; between y« coronacon 
and this day, viz May. 5, the Duke of Yorkes onely son died and 
was privately buried. 6, some were hurt in y® view by a scaffold 
breaking and one kild, if not more : in the throng at y* Commons 
doore to goe out to y* King in y* upper house. Alderman ffouk was 
s^ to loose SO links of his gold chain. I apprehend this Parliam^ 
The convocation mett in Pauls, I saw 12 bishops there &c. 

May. 19. The King and Chancell'. moderate in y' speeches, speaking much 
of good nature ; y* Lord divert a storm ; it was feard the Act of 
Indemnity would bee unraveld. 

May. 29. A thanksgiving day for K Charles return to the crown. I preacht, 
very few hearers. 

June. 23. S** B^ and their courts are coming in again. Lord helpe us to 
walke humbly & wisely. 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 139 

The quakers after a stop and silence, seeme to bee swarming June. 30. 
and increased, and why Lord y° onely knowest. 

My soule mourneth to see how quakers and profanesse increas- July. 7. 
eth ; Gods holy day is most mens vain day. 

Said a stop put to the eagernes of Episcopall men ; men are July. 2L 
slippery in y' ways. 

Y® price of corne riseth much, much sicknes in many places ; Sept. 8. 
the quakers busy about us. 

O' Sabbaths yett quiet, and o' liberties continued. Nov. 10. 

A deare time for corne, rye 7s. and wheat 8s. 6d. per bushel, but Nov. 17. 
few consider the famine of the word ; and yett men loath the 
ordinances of God. 

Persons wonderfull profane & neglective of Gods wp. Dec. IS. 

This day baptized a child in publiq, not done in 12 months Jan. 12. 
before. 

Heard as if Spain, France, & Holland were combining agst Jan. 18. 
England ; God can make use of adversaries to doe his good. 

Jan : 26 : 1661, my 46 yeare entreth. 

This day entred my 46. yeare ; God hath been good to mee in Jan. 26. 
the dayes past and will in those are to come, and my saved soule 
shall praise him. 

A publiq fast for the Kings death ; not above 70 persons or Jan. 30. 
y^'abouts hearing, surely not an 100. 

In the night it raind, the wind rose and was 18, violent beyond Feb. 17. 
measure, ov'turning a windmill at Colchester, wherin a youth kild, 
divers barnes, stables, outhouses, trees, rending divers dwellings ; 
few escapd, my losse much, but not like some others ; God sancti- 
fie all to us ; throwing down stackes of chimneys, part of houses ; 
the Lady Saltonstall kild in her bed, her house falling. Whitehall 
twice on fire that day, some orchards almost ruind. 27, Trees 
blown down within priory wall. Timber trees rent up in high 
standing woods ; the winde was generall in England & Holland 
sea coast, but not in Scotland. 

This day, Corbet, Okey, and Barkstead formerly L^ of the Tower, March. 16. 



140 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

who were taken in Holland by S' George Downing formerly scout- 
master of Cromwells army, were committed to the tower ; what 
changes God maketh in the world. 
1662. Whpn I come to view my outward estate, I find my layings out 
March. 30. are 192/. 19s. lliL my whole receipts 117/. 15. 9 ; my debts were 
80/. now at least 86/. 5s. ; my debts owing mee were more by 27/. 
then now ; my charge is 199/. 4s. lid. w*^^ exceeds my receipts 
81/. 10s. but through mercy my stocke is better then last yeare by 
some pounds & my building hath cost mee at least an 100/. so y^ 
my estate is not impaired, blessed bee my good God. 

April. 27. On 19. ffeb. w" Corbett Barkstead & Okey were executed at 
Tirburne, Okey said y* prophanes was at such an height, that if 
true, as said, England could not stand 3 yeares ; the Court lookt on 
this with a jear. The Lords day is most sadly prophaned in all 
places, Lord looke on & helpe. 

May. 19. On Monday the Act of Uniformity was past. The King hasten- 
ed away to his Queen who landed before at Portsmouth, with little 
joy to the nacon ; y® nacon pressed cannot smile ; God amend all 
& keep us upright. 

May. 29. A day of thanks for the Kings restoration in 60. 

June. 1. I had the Act of Uniformity sent mee. 

July. 13. Reports as if the King would respitt the penalties on the Act of 
Uniformity as to himselfe for a time, God in mercy command it. 

July. 1 5. This night with us being called S^ Swithins day, at night it raind ; 
the old saying is it raines 40 days after ; this 20*^^ its wett and 
hath bin since. 

Aug. 16. The apparitor at Towne with service books ; he asked 8s. 
for them, so o' Churchwarden bought none, and I saw him not ; 
its a sad case that men are likely to bee put in by this Act of 
Uniformity. 

Aug. 17. The last Sabbath of o' liberty by the Act. God good to mee 
therein. 

Aug. 19. Preacht last lecture at Castle- Hedingham. 

Aug. 24. Some hopes given as if there would bee indulgence given to 
ministers for the present until the return of the parliam^. 

The London Ministers nigh 80, generally declined j">reaching ; 



i— — ^ 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 141 

the Bp. tooke care to supply every place, & the like in the country; 
some of them petitioned this weeke for liberty as reported. 

All hopes of suspension of the Act of Uniformity taken away ; Aug. 31. 
God good to mee in my freedome to preach, three ministers & 
multitudes of our christian neighbo" hearing. 

A quiet Sabbath, great droves of people flocke to heare. Sept. 7. 

Corn fallen much, a good wheat for 5s. 6d. mislain 4s. ScL ; God Sept. 11. 
make us thankfull. 

God good to us in many mercies, the continued liberty of his Sept. 28. 
words & wP, no interrupcon or disturbance. 

Cited this day to the Archdeacons visitation ; o' professors had Oct. 10. 
rather I should lay down than conforme as J. Day told mee, but I 
had it onely from him ; the Lord direct mee. I appeared not. 

God good to mee in manifold mercies ; y* booke of common Oct. 12. 
prayer laid in y*^ deske for mee. 19, laid again & used in part in the 
morning, but in the afternoon taken away. 26, brought again, but 
pitcht & abused. 

A cheerly time, and a quiet Sabbath. M' Crosman, preaching, Nov. 2. 
actually sent to prison & some others in danger y'of, yett through 
mercy I am quiett. Searching in London for meeters in private 
with feare y* they will send such out of the nacon. 

New Ministers this day at Colne Engain, M' Symonds & at Nov. 9. 
Cogshall M*" Jessop ; both of good report ; and now I am left alone 
of the nonconformists, what God will doe with mee I know not. I 
trust he will bee a hiding place, and help mee that I may worke, 
and not wound my spirit. 

A snowy bitter rainy windy morning in w** I went to the Court Nov. 12. 
at .Colchester, cited for procuracons.* Mine are as large as livings 
of 120/. per yeare. I paid & returned well, blessed bee God ; none 
of the nonconformists being cited appeared but onely my selfe ; I 
reckon that day a good day to mee. 

God good to mee & mine in manifold mercies, liberty of his Nov. 23. 

* Certain sums of money which the parish priest paid yearly to the Bishop or 
Archdeacon. Formerly the visitor demanded a portion of meat and drink for 
his refreshment; these were turned into payments of an annual sum " ad procur- 
andum cibum et fotum, " 



142 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

Sabbath ; I baptized with the Common Prayer publiquly W" flFos- 
sets child, the whole congregation in a manner staying ; God make 
us quiet and peaceable. 

Dec. 18. Colchester corporation sent to race to preach there Dec. 25. I 
declined it ; they discourse to choose mee y' weekly Lecturer pro 
tempore ; Lord I am willing to doe thee any service, though allways 
afraid of that toune as not fitt to deale with y' wrangling spirits. 

Jan. 11. M' Calamy * committed to Newgate for preaching at the place 
where he had been minister. 

Jan : 26. 1662, my 47 yeare entreth, 46 ended. 

W" I looke backe I find I may set up my Ebenezer; hitherto God 
hath holpen mee, and w" I looke forward, this promise is mine, 
" I will never faile thee nor forsake thee." I am now setled in a 
habitacon of my own on Coin green w***^ God hath given mee. 
Feb. 1. 8. Gods wp is most sadly neglected, and now I feare the use of 
Common Prayer will cause a rent & separacon of divers asserters 
of ordinances. God setle & stablish mee. 

Hard This winter was the hardest I ever remembred : very wett 

winter. And cold in Octob. Novemb., on the 24 day w'^of it began to 

frize & so continued frost & snow very hard, until Feb. 18'^. it 
began to thaw much, but y* frost scarce full out of the earth. 
And this 23 Feb. a litle frost again : 27 to y* day frost; so 28 ; 
March. 1, snow lying in my guttar; hence goodly weather. 

March. 1. S* some in o' town were digging this sabbath morning, Lord 
whither will this profanes tend ? to flat atheism. Lord arise help 
for thy mercy sake. 

March.22. The parliam^ viz commons zealous agst papists. 

• 1 He was one of the ejected ministers. He continued to attend his parish 

church and on one occasion, in the absence of the appointed minister was pre- 
vailed upon to preach. He was committed to Newgate under the Lord Mayor's 
warrant on Jan. 6. 1663 being the first of the Nonconformists who got into 
trouble for disobeying the act of Uniformity. He was set free by the King's 

express orders. 

(Diet. : of Nat : Biography,) 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 143 

Said the newes sad in Ireland, the rebells regaining y' estates from March.29. 
the English. 

When I review my estate, I find my receipts rather more Estate, 
than my layings out & yett my building and stocke have cost 
mee about 70/. I have sold my wives land at 57/. 10s. and p** 
debts with the mony ; the Lords name bee praised, that 
provides bountifully for mee, oh y* my soule, and mine might 
prosper in thy sight. 

Commended M' Elliston to God who died the 16, a wett day. April. 17. 

The lord good to mee in the Sabbath freedom of his wp. May. 10. 

God good to us in our outward mercies, the liberty of Gods wp May. 17. 
is yet afforded mee, and mine in perticular, altough M*^ Layfeild 
tells me (who was judge at this visitacon) that I am suspended ; 
Gods will bee done. 

This day o' church wardens brought in y* booke of common May. 30. 
prayer, w*'^ I used. 

Heard of ArchBP. Juxons death, a quiet man^ an advantage to June. 7. 
that hot partie, as they thinke ; but who knoweth how God may 
shackle them ? 

News as if y® Portugal neare Lisbon had utterly routed the June. 28. 
Spanish army w**** was confirmed to bee done neare Evora on May 
29, in w**** all the English did like themselves valiantly. 

The wett yet continues, & so almost continually from April 18^*^ July. 12. 
past, now a great floud ; meadows drownd again & again, very litle 
hay had in. 

God good in y* word, a very thin audience, as if daring Magistracy Aug. 23. 
y^ begins to punish absentees from publique wp. 

At home newes of a trienniall parliam^ Oct. 9. 

S** Strang libels cast about in London agst the King, who is for- Oct. 16. 
ced to give up house, his table served by a cooke, his Cavaliers 
very sadly deboist and unruly ; a good natured prince but sadly 
yoked with followers. 

Heard of the Q. death. Oct. 23. 

Said die. 23. the Q. died. Oct. 25. 

Newes of the Q. reviving, a mercy I hope to y* nacon; now Nov. 1. 



144 RALPH JOSSELIN^S DIARY 

discourse of the phanatique plott ; Lord hide us from y® snares 
of men. 

Nov. 12. Talks of a Northern plot, yea general ; of the phanatiques, divers 
imprisond, & some nonconformist ministers clapt up. 

Nov. 15. Many secured as plotters. 

Nov. 26. On Thursday morning about seven of the clocke or before, my 
deare wife after many sad pains, and sadder feares, in respect of 
the unkindlines of her labo*^, was yett through Gods mercy, 
delivered of her 10th child, sixt daughter, and o' now seventh 
child and 5' daughter living, for w^** mercy my soule blesseth 
him. 

Nov. 29. O"^ English merchants would fain breake with the Dutch ; the 

whole earth is quiet. 
Jan. 3. The quakers meetings are in great places disturbed, driven 
from thence, and other meetings of the nonconformists much 
omitted. 

Jan. 24. W" I looke abroad thus, in England publiq quiet, and yet 
nothing but discontents ; the state brooks no publiq religious 
meetings, but legall. Denmarke, Swede, Holland in peace, the 
Turkish pirats harsh to o*" traders in the midland seas ; the great 
princes young, Turke about 21 o' 22, France, 25, Emp. 23, Swede 
a boy. Savoy very young ; the Emperor * at Ratisbone engaging 
the Empire to assist agst the Turke, the popish party joyn. 
France would have y* auxiliaries commanded by a freind of his & 
then he would assist. 

The great difference between the pope & ffrance, w*^** accused 
the world y* y* French designes run high, likely to bee agreed by 
condescension on y*^ popes part. 

The Polish king carrieth warre to the Moscovites doore with 
hope of peace, but y^ not likely ; great endeavo" to declare Duke 
d'Enguyen, successor in Poland. The Turkes make great pre- 
paracons agst Christendom. Apasi * gets many places from y* 
Emperor submitting to him ; all Germany & Italy in an amaze, the 
northern kingdomes quiet ; Spain warring to reduce Portugall. 

» Leopold I. 

• Ruler of Transylvania. 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 145 

Jan : 26 : 1663, my 48 entred. 

Sensible of this day, ending my former yeare with remembrai^ce 
of Gods goodnes to mee & mine, hitherto God hath holpen mee, 
and seeking. God my heart filled with hopes, he will never faile 
nor forsake mee. 

A freind robd his freind at London and hangd for it, caUed Col. Jan. 30. 
Turner ; Lord deliver us from unreasonable men. 

1664. 

When I come to review the wayes of God toward mee in the 
yeare past, I find it mercy & truth, he still smiles on us ; he hath 
added a litle Rebekah to o' number & the rest grow up ; my 
publiq libertie strangely continued unto mee & people ; I have 
purchased this yeare a close cost 28/. for my son Thomas ; my 
receipts more than expences by 8/.; receivd 168/. 18s. 4d., laid out 
160/. 13s. 2d.; my stocke as good as last spring, my debts were 
then due to mee 20/. more than now, so that I have saved clearly 
about 8/. and my building w^^ was at least 40/.: now I have about 
15/. in mony & my tenants owe mee 70/., blessed bee God. 

God good in o' peace, reports of smart penal laws. Lord bee May. 1. 
o' helpe. 

Pari, adjourned until Nov. 20, passing a sharpe act agst con- May. 16. 
venticles. 

This day, as a caution to forelooke o' ways, and to doe things May. 29. 
advisedly, I fell into a great error, bidding to morrow for restaura- 
tion day of y® king w*^ was this day. 

The war with Holland proceeds. Y® king abused by infamous June. 5. 
pictures, for which lewd courses give occasion. 

Discourses aloud of o' breache with the Dutch. Called on June. 9. 
again to Court for not administring the sacrament. 

This day, a day of holy rest, is now the sport and pleasure day June. 12. 
of the generall rout of people. 

The King narroely escaped drowning, July, 5. July. 10. 

Small pox much in y* country ; such aboundance of cherries, July. 17. 
brought by carts ; one in Colne, July 15, sold 3 pound for 2d. 

K 



146 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

t 

uttering a load in o' street, a sickly fruite, and great sicknes feared, 

but where is the preparation for it ? 
Aug. 7. Likely that wee quarrel with y* Dutch. 
Sept. 1 1 . God good in the word, I had some apprehension it might bee 

my last sermon. 
Sept. 14. Was the Bp of Londons primary visitacon 1664 where I having 

committed my selfe to God appeared, and through mercy mett 

with no rubbs, but my path clear so that I hope I may serve my 

M' with freedom awhile longer, till I see those wond'fuU revolu- 

cons. M' Smith a nonsubscriber was threatned by the B^ to bee 

made an example : blesse my God, oh soule. 
Oct. 2. S** wee have great successe agst y* Hollanders in Guinea. ' 
Oct. 9. This weeke, talk o' fleet gone against the Dutch under Rupert, 

& peace with Turks. 
Oct. 30. This day I gave the sacram* of the Lords supper : 12 present, 

some with great devotion & brokennes of heart. 
Jan. 8. News stronger of a Dutch warre. 

Jan : 26 : 1664, my 48 y. ended and 49 entred. 

Sensible y^ this day begun a new yeare with mee, with thank- 
fulnes to God for his continued goodnes to mee & mine, with 
hopes that y® Lord will never faile mee nor forsake mee. 

Feb. 12. The season warme, the times yett wond'fuU hard, no trade by 
reason of the Dutch troubles. 
1665. 26 March, 1665, Easter day. 12 of us r** y« sacrament of y® 
Lords supper publiquly for which I blesse God; I believe its 22 or 
23 yeares since r** on y* day & occasion. 

April. 5. A fast kept for good successe in o*" naval forces, God in mercy 
grant it. 

Estate. When I come to view my estate expenses are 141/. 4s. 9d, 
receipts 139/. 4s. 8^. losse 21, Id, and some debts lesse than last 
yeare. I cannot say I either loose or gain directly, yett my thoughts 

^ " A little squadron belonging to the African Company, to which also the 
King added a couple of vessels, led by Robert Holmes, seized Cape Corso.'* 
Ranke. History of England^ iii, 422. 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 147 

are my oiitw** estate will this yeare appeare to better. God prosper • 

my soule. 

I began to expound things out of the church catechism for the May. 7. 
informacon of youth. 

At the visitacon, with respect ; heard of successe agst Smyrna May. 8. 
fleet ; the countenances of many ministers sad to eye, Lord heale 
o' manners. 

God good in manifold mercies, the plague certainly in London. May. 14. 
9 dyed last weeke, the drought doth not only continue, but y® heat 
groweth very much. Lord helpe us to gett into y* gap to turn 
away thy wrath. 

My personal illnes abateth blessed bee God ; the plague gott May. 28. 
into o' land at Yarmouth, and London, 14 dying this weeke. God 
good to mee in the word preacht, at which o' concourse was this 
day great ; its good fishing where many are ; catch some, oh Lord, 
I pray thee. 

The guns mention a great fight yesterday. June. 4. 

The plague increaseth to 43 this weeke, the Lord good in o' June. 11. 
wonderfull successe agst the Dutch, ^ good in his word, the season 
dry, profanes common, piety very rare. 

Plague increased to 112. June. 18. 

Plague increasd to 168 ; y® season somewhat shouring. 2063 June. 25. 
prisoners Dutch at Colchester ; all my 7 children hearing y® word, 
in whom bee the divine blessing. 

Plague increased to 267, bill 684 ; my son had leave to continue July. 2. 
in y^ country. God in mercy preserve us, & heale the city ; 
medicam^ used, but no publiq call to repentance ; the king goeth 
to Wilton by Salisbury, the old Queen gone for ffrance : Lawson 
o' brave seaman dead of his wound ; ' y* season very moist. Lord 
send not all in anger. 

This day a day of praise for o' victory over the Dutch June 3. July. 4. 

God good in o' preservacon, the plague feares the Londoners ; July. 9. 
they flie before it & the country feares all trade with London : 

> Off Lowestoft. 

' A Yorkshireman who had fought his way from the forecastle of a Hull ship 
to be an admiral of the fleet. 



148 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

died 1006, of y^ plague 470 : the Lrord stay his heavy hand : the 

season tide ' for hay time. 
July. 16. London sad days increase. 1268 buried. 725 plague. Lord 

hold thy hand. 
July. 23. My farm tumd into my hands ; the plague hott, 1089, burials 

1761 : Lord hold thy hand, proceed not in wrath. 
July. 28. Plague grows hott ; persons fall down in London streets, 1843 

of plague, total 2785 : Lord spare thy people. 
Aug. 2. First publiqu monthly fast; wee gathered for distressed London. 
Aug. 6. God good in the season, harvest comes in well, a great rain w*** 

y*^ earth needed to Aug : 1. A small increase of the plague beyond 

w* feared, viz. 2010, burials 3014. 
Aug. 13. To Aug : 9 a great increase of plague, 2817, total 4030. Giles 

Cripplegate 690. Lord bee not angry with o' prayers ; and now 

Colchester is infected, and when will Coin lay it to heart ? 
Aug. 16. Colchesters infection looketh sadly, by a joyner. Dedham clapt 

him into a pest house presently ; God spare y^ place. 
Aug. 20. Londons visitacon sad. 3880 plague, 5319 all diseases ; spread 

almost over the whole city, and much in y* country ; Lord arise 

& helpe. Colchester seeke into y® country for dwellings. 
Aug. 27. God good in o' preservacon, yet much endangered by Colchester. 

A lad of o'* parish coming thence died in White Colne, feared of 

y® infection ; another among us of his company ; Lord preserve 

us : the weather sad, but y^ day cooling : died at London plague 

4227, all 5568 ; God jn mercy stop infection : the increase was 

small in comparison of what feared. 
Sept. 3. God good in o' preservacon. Halsted in danger, y^ plague 

rageth, 6102, total 7496, and twenty some days at Colchester. 
Sept. 10. The season cooled and yet the bill Sept. 5 increased, 6978 plague, 

8252 died ; they ordered continuall firqs in London for 3 days and 

nights at every doore ; Lord cease thy hand. 
Sept. 16. God good in Colnes preservation, yet Colchester increaseth in 

illnes being spread over y® whole town ; after freq* reports of a 

most wonderfull increase this weeke it abated through mercy : from 

» Cf . Ticklish. 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 149 

Sept. 5 to 12, 562 ; y"^ dying in all 7690, of plague 6544, and towards 
the fuU of the moon. 

Thought y' died at Colchester this weeke 184, from Sept. 12 to Sept. 23. 
19 : the moon at fuU on y« 14 ; though the weather cold, and winds 
stirring yet their was an increase again and esp. within the wals 
where y' died 1493, of the plague 1189 ; this bill was 8297, of the 
plague 7165, and yet Coin preserved. 

Deaths at Colnehill, and hazards at Coin, and yet preserved, God Oct. 1. 
inheritt o' praises ; the small pox with Coin at Potters : a great 
abatem* of y* plague at London, 5533, totall 6460 ; and so at Col- 
chester, 59 abated, y' dying 1 26 or y' abouts. 

Wee remembred poore Colchester in o' collection neare 30s. & Oct. 4. 
sent them formerly 4/. 

To thy goodnes wee own it with praises y^ wee are preserved Oct. 8. 
from y* smal pox in o' town & plague in the country, w*^*^ is hott at 
Ipswich, Harwich an 100 dying in 3 weeks: y' graves filly* church- 
yard alreadie,' and have called for a new burying place ; at Col- 
chester it spreads exceedingly ; this weeke buried 188 ; feares of 
Cogshall, Halstead, ffeering. Certainly at Kelvedon up land. Brain- 5720 
tree, and yett Colne, sinfull Colne, spared ; my soule records thy 4929 
kindnes with meltings for thy mercy ; in y® midst of this sadnes 
London begins to cleare up, an abatem^ of above 700 this weeke ; 
also Spains King dieth ; that gives o'' merchants a wond'full bays 
market, so that God finds out ways for o' subsistance. 

Wednesday, 11, the plague lookt on certainly at Coin-ford hill, Oct. 15. 
and yett Coin preserved ; it abates blessed bee God at Colchester 
above 50, and 652 at London. At Colchester died 145 ; their 
charge above 500/. per month, wherupon the country within 5 miles 
round was charged towards there releife. 

A wond'full sweet season, dry, cold and frosts ; God gave a great Oct. 22. 
abatem* to the plague, 3219 in all, plague 2665, decrease 1849 Lon- 
don ; praise God : o' tax at y* pari, at Oxford encreasd to 140/. per 
month for 18 months to begin Jan: next; likelyhoods of the ffrench 
warre also ; we assist B^ of Munster with mony : without a trade it 
will be very heavy to the nacon ; God good in Colnes preservacon, 
although at Colnford hill 7 have died & 3 have plague sores as wee 



150 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

apprehend ; at Colchester only 22 abated, died, 106 of y* plague, 
121 all. 

Oct. 27. Saw y® London bill : Gods name bee praised for y® great abatem^ 
of the plague, 1413 decrease, total 1806, of the plague 1421. Cam- 
bridge, Royston and many other places much abated, scattered 
much in the south. 

Oct. 29. Over 101 died at Colchester : the plague at Oxford. The 
visitacon Court suspended one, & I am free, blesse God, oh my 
soule. 

Nov. 5. Abated at London again 408 ; burials 1388, 1031 of the plague, 
yet at Colchester it increased ; above 20 new houses infected ; 
buried there shout 147. 

Nov. 12. S** y® plague mortal to many masters of families ; at London it 

increased 399 ; in all dying 1787, of the plague 1414 ; abated at 

Harwich yet not cleare : at Colchester there died 110. Lord cleare 

frost the nacon ; the Dutch snapt some of our Tangier fleet, provision 

Nov. 18. ships 2, & 1 fregate, and the ffrench tooke 3 of our Levant merchant 
men ; y*" is a fleet going to the straits. 

Nov. 19. The plague abated a litle at Colchester, viz. to 106 : at London 
1050 plag. abated 428, more then y« last increase, the total 1358. 

Nov. 26. Frostie weather with wind clearing the aire ; the plague abates 
at London, 905 dying in all, of plague 652 : at Colchester also 
much abated, blessed bee o' preserver, 70 dying this weeke, wee 
heare the like from all parts. 

Dec. 3. Plague abates at Colchester to 48 : at London 544, plague 333, 

544. 333. and wee still preserved blessed bee God. 

Dec. 6. Publiqu fast, a very thin audience, yett God good to us in with- 
drawing his pestilence & o"" preservation ; sent Colchester 7/. 10s. 
collected at our severall fasts. 

Dec. 9. Weather open & warm, the plague decreasing little at Colchester, 
there dying 45, but, blessed bee God, abated at London 116, bill 
being 428, and Colne still preserved, plague 210. 

Dec. 17. Y® plague increasd, the bill burials 442, plague 243, increase 14 ; 
so s** at Colchester, 67 of plague, all 71. The weather frost}', begun 
Dec : 14. Halsted much strucke with the small pox and a fever 
at Colne in divers poore families. 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 151 

Frost continues, Londons increase 83, plague 280, bur. 525 : s** Dec. 24. 
increase! at Colchester (but not), 60. 

Frost continues, likelyhood of ill times & trade, yet through Dec. 31. 
mercy y"" was a great abate of the plague at London, when reports 
contrary ; plague 152, total 330. So at Colchester, total 24. 

God good in manifold mercies ; though weather open and warme, Jan. 7. 
plague increasing at Colchester to 29, yet at London it comes low ; 
plague 70, total 253, blessed bee God. Y*^ Dutch & we are pre- 
paring to out fleets to sea early, they under Ruyter & wee Monke. 

Plague increasd at London to 158, burials 375, 110 increase. Jan. 21. 

Thes perticulars I observed in y*^ generall bill, ending Dec- 
emb : 19. 65. 

97 Parishes buried 15,209, pi. 9887 s 

14 Parishes b. 41,351 28,888 ^ , Tl',,^ I 97,306 

12 P. ... . 28,554 21,420 ^f"^^ ^^ ^ 

5 P 12,194 8,403 J ^^^ue 68,596 

Christnings 9,967 — increase in burials this yeare 79,009. * 
The greatest plague in England since y^ in Edward the thirds 
time, and yett it continues, as very feirce in many places of England, 
this Jan. 26. What God may doe, the weather being now cold frostie, 
I know not, but hope well. 

Jan : 26 : 65, my 50 entred. 

I was not aware this begun the yeare, the Lord remember mee Jan. 28. 
for good, when my eye is not distinctly on him ; an abatem^ of 
plague at Colchester to 36, London 272, plague 79. 

Commonly said y® French have proclaimed open warre agst Jan. 30. 
England. 

My son Thomas went up to London having been with us since Jan. 31. 
beginning of June. 

' Annual average of deaths in London 

1653-1665 including the Plague Year 19,946. 

(Creighton, in Social Englaud^ vol. iv. p. 470). 



152 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

Feb. 4. This month plague abates, 56, total 227, a low bill : Colchester 

holds ill still, increasing to 43. 
Feb. 11. London reviveth, blessed bee God : plague abated 4 to 52 : y*^ 
burials increased to 231 : hopes of an abatem^ at Colchester, died 28. 
Feb. 18. A cleare weeke, yet plague increaseth, London 59, total 249, 
Colchester 30. Wee had plenty of sprats this ffeb. 16. God good 
to us in his word. 
Feb. 25. A very dry season, cold not much, windy ; the plague yet in- 
creaseth, 69 London, burials 252 : so said at Colchester 39. Queen 
miscarried. My thoughts much about giving over preaching. 
March. 4. Plague through mercy abates at London, 42 pi. total 237, but a 
great increase at Colchester to 55. Yarmouth cleare. Lord heale 
o*" land, and open o' trade, in mercy. 
March. 1 1 . Plague decreaseth at London 28, total increase 238 ; some say it 

31 died, abates at Colchester. 
March. 18. A cold, dry time at London, plague 29, burials 207, very low, 

blessed bee God ; Colchester 43. 
March. 25. Plague somewhat increaseth at London, dying 33, in all 233 ; 
1666. more at Colchester 53, some places cleare. 

1666. 

April. 1. Wonderfull dry, plague abates at London, viz to 17, total 224, 

but it sadly increaseth at Colchester to 70. 
April. 8. Plague gentle but increaseth at London viz. 26, total 211 : feare 
73. worse at Colchester, 73 ; its at Dedham & several villages. Lord in 

mercy remove thy hand. 
April. 15. Plague increasd at London to 28, total 195 : sore at Colchester, 

dying 90 of plague, total 92 : administred y* sacram', 16 present. 

April. 22. Plague increasd at London to 40, total 215 : at Colchester very 

72. ill yet abat. 72 ; it spreads in several places of the country. Lord 

arise and helpe. 
April. 26. Heard Bp of Munster had made a peace, and Sabbatai * y* Jewes 

prophet killed. 

* 1626-1676. Born in Smyrna. When 20 years old he proclaimed himself the 
Messiah & obtained a great following among the Eastern Jews. He was 
imprisoned by the Sultan, Mohammed IV. He then embraced Islam, but the 
movement which he started lasted many years. 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 153 

Plague, blessed bee God, decreasing at London, viz to 24, bur. April. 29. 
215 : feares of a great increase at Colchester, 94 died ; a large 
audience. 

God good in o' preservacon, yet sadly called on for y« plague. May. 6. 
one dying of spots at night ; it increasd at Colchester sadly to 177, 
at London to 40, total 213 : many people resort to y° word. Lord 
doe them good by it. 

Plague increased at London to 53, total 234, sad at Colchester, May. 13. 
dying 174. 

London increased to 58, total 236 : its thinly peopled w'soev' May. 20. 
persons speake ; most by-places empty & thought y® deaths were 
beyond o' counts by far, Lord spare. Feares of Spains quarrelling 
us. Sad still with poor Colchester, 161 dying. A trouble coming 161. 
up street, where wee found another child stricken, & old Lea not 
well. 

London abates to 31, total 203. Colchester abates also to 110, May. 27. 
and not so mortal at Booking. 

Did my last duty to S'. Tho : Honywoods dust, laying him up June. 1. 
in his earth and long home at Markshal who died at London. 

London : pi : 20, tot. 201 : Colchester 101. Rumo" of a great June. 3. 
fight ; wee prayd heartily for successe, & hope it, though some ^^• 
cry a losse. * 

The publique fast. June. 6. 

Plague increasd at London to 27, total 191 : increasd at Colchester June. 10. 
at least 20. 120. 

God good in London, yet increasd, total 196, pi. 31 ; increasd at June. 17. 
Colchester to 150. ^50. 

The sicknes decreasd at Colchester 32, being 112 : at London June. 24. 
to 23, total 179. 112. 

God good to admiracon in o' towns preservation, when so sad July. 1. 
in all other places, Cambridge, Oundle, Needham, Braintree, but 
above all at Colchester increasing to 180. London, 33^ tot. 223. 

The land at a low ebbe, o*" enemies brave it on o' coast ; God in July. 4. 
mercy, helpe & deliver. 

» vide Bright' s History of England, Vol. II. p. 370. 



154 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

July. 8. God good in y* season. I was blamed to neglect a hay day on 
y® fast ; in sad skies my hope was God would make it up and he 
did. London plague, 35, tot. 222. Colch. 175 : the plague in 
many places in y*^ country hott, the enemy braves us at sea, o' fleet 
unreadie, threatning invasion, o' counsels divided, and very low in 
y* esteem of y® nacon. 

July. 14. The Dutch continue to brave it on o' coast, all o' forces upon the 
shore east. 

July. 15. A very hot season ; plague rageth at Braintree, Colchester 169 ; 
at London abated to 33^ total increasd to 247. 

July. 22. The plague sad in many places of England, o' town well, praisd 
bee God ; London increasd to 51, total 294 ; Colchester to 178. 

July. 24. The guns roard ; 26, said a fight began die. 25 : God shew us 
favo'. 

July. 29. Plague sad at Braintree ; 40, 50 o"" more dying in a weeke ; at 
London, bill increasd to 326, plague decreasd to 48 ; Colchester 
abated to 113. 
Aug. 5. Plague abates through mercy in country wherin its much spread ; 
London, 341, plague 38 : Colchester, 111, Braintree abated from 
57 to 23 this weeke. 

Aug. 12. London increasd, total 336, pi. 42. Colchester decreasd to 95. 

Aug. 19. O*^ fleet wee have of Holland coast, where they were very suc- 
Colch. 71. cessful. * Plague much in o' country, London, 332, plag: 48. 

Aug. 23. Day of praise for o' victory oV the Dutch. 

Aug. 26. The plague abates, London 290: p: 42. Colch: 51: gott into 
Cogshall. 

Sept. 2. The Dutch again on o' coasts, forces rais*, God in mercy send us 
peace. London abates, 266, pi. 30. Colchester f eard to increase, 57. 
This day, begun Londons dismal fire, laying the city, the good- 
liest of y® world in ashes ; quis legens hoc tanperet a lachrimis. 

Sept. 9. This weeke dolefull ; a fire began in London in Pudding lane at 
a ffrench bakers about one of the clocke Sept: 2. being Lords day, 
and on y* 3 & 4 burnt down almost y® whole city but a litle quarter 
from y* tower to Moregate, and as low as Leadenhall Street ; it 

^ One hundred and fifty merchantmen were burnt on the Dutch coast. 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 155 

« 

burnt up all to Temple barre, few perishing in y^ flames ; it ceasd 
y® 5 at night, on which day being the fast wee prayed heartily, 
with teares & faith, y' henceforward God would blesse us. Col- 
chester abated to 37, God comand his mercy on o' low estate. 

Plague abated at Colchester to 25, sad at Cogshall, and other Sept. 16. 
places. 

London bill was 104 of y® plague in 3 weeks. 16 parishes w^^^'in Sept. 23. 
walls, 14 without, by y* compute 81 (sic) wholly burnt down within 
wals & 2 without besides peices of others. 

Plague abates at Colchester about 10 or 11 dying. Sept. 30. 

At Colchester died 9 ; Cogshall under hope. Oct. 6. 

A publique fast in regard of Londons burning, with a collection ; Oct. 10. 
gathered 6/. 

A wettish time ; plague abates at London 14 & Colchester 7 ; Oct. 14. 
litle mention of it. The sacram' of baptism publiquly administred. 

In y® low estate of y* nacon 1,800,000, more voted for y*' Kings Oct. 21. 
supplies : God awake for Englands prosperitie in y* low day. 

Plague, Colchester bill 5. Lond: 210. p. 16. Oct. 28. 

My son was returnd safe from London : the Lord my God blesse Nov. 4. 
him. Col: 4: London, 220, pi. 14 : many hearing, but few practicing. 

P* my son Is. for pjums, the iirst he sold. Nov. 5. 

London: 213, pi, 10. Cole. 2; plague abates blessed bee God but Nov. 11. 
y® war damps all trade ; the Lord drive his spiritual trade ; feares 
still in London ; a Frenchman suffered for firing y« house in 
Pudding lane iirst, by throwing fire into the bavins. * 

Kings stables fired ; feares fiU us, and yet careles ; plague abated, Nov. 18. 
London, 3 & Colch: 3. 

I have neglected by reason of wants to lay by of my estate for Estate, 
good uses as I once engaged ; the nature of my estate is very much 
altered, but I resolve henceforward, to lay by the 10^** shilling y. 
comes in clearly of mony for all ministerial dues, and the 20'^ 
shilling of rent, and for every quarter of corn I sell. Is., and to 
divide this thus — 12s. of 20, for good uses to freinds, and the 8s. 
to dispose to ease mee in my own perticulars for 10^***, visittacons, 

' Wood used for lighting lires. 



156 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

books, &c. having first out of the whole cleard my debts to town, 

&c. w*'*^ are about 40s. and the 10'^ shilling profitt of fatting catle. 
Nov. 25. The country cleares of the plague, London, 235, p. 8, increase 
Col. 1. after the appointm* of thanksgiving for decrease. 
Dec. 2. Troubles in Scotland ; God continue o' peace ; plag: London 7, 

bur. 147. 
Dec. 5. Heard great hopes of a Dutch peace. Amen good Lord ! 
Dec. 9. Scots routed. 
Dec. 23. Fears of an invasion from ffrance, one wave after another is y' 

lives porcon. 
Jan. 9. John my son went towards London, the Lord Jesus be with him 

for soule & body ; r** a letter from him of his safe arrival there. 

Jan: 26. 1666, my 51 entred. 

Sensible y* day entred my 51*^ yeare. Lord bee with mee therin 
for good, & to y* end of my days, and blesse mee and mine, and 
let a coven' bee between us. I was early on my studdies this 
morning. 

Jan. 27. Heard uncomfortably of my son John. Lord yett in mercy shew 
mee favo*" in him, making him a comfort. 

Feb. 15. Sadnes in my family, John returnd. 
1667. W° I come to review my estate, I observe my stocke is fuller 

March, than it was last yeare, my debts rather more, but the visible 
tstate. advantage is in Wades house w*'** I have purchased worth 20/. but 
8/. was paid before, & in setting up my sonne Thomas to whom I 
gave 50/., but 22/. or y'abouts was gold gathered formerly ; I have 
built nothing this yeare. I have no moneys by mee, not above 4/. 
besides w' is in my debt booke and y* is in my sons hands, neither 
had I any sum last yeare ; my expenses were 95/. 15s. 4^/., yet I 
reckon it a saving yeare. 

April. 7. Hopes of peace, but threats of war, and said the Dutch will 
presently blocke up the Thames mouth. 

April. 28. Going to preach, H. Morly of my parish deliv** mee a note of 
receipt of my procurations, and y' in notice I was suspended. I 
forbore to preach in y^ afternoone. 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 157 

June 6, the Dutch on Harwich coast, Thursday, June 12, Wednes- 
day, they attempt Chatham river to destroy o' great ships with 
successe & continued y' their pleasure ; June 27, they came up 
near Gravesend, they put a stop to all trade, and forced us to defend 
the whole shore, to o' charge & amazem^ 

A sad face of o' nacon ; y® French s** in y* downs. June. 23. 

The Dutch landed on y* Suffolke shore, attempting Langerfort, July. 2. 
but beat of. 

One day wee feard the ffrench invasion, then y® papists rising, y* July. 7. 
further burning of y® city, the stop of all trade ; ' then hope good 
men come in place, delinq^ called to account, then hopes of peace. 

Fears of papists, and of the Courts army at home. July. 14.21 

The Dutch busy on o' coasts ; the peace said concluded: the July. 28. 
parliam^ high agst a standing army ; hopes of England reviving out 
of troubles : said the plague in London to 80, increasing from 2 last 
weeke ; not so. 

The parliam* sent home til Oct. 10, by reason of the peace con- Aug. 4. 
eluded July. 21. at Breda betwixt all y^ nacons and us at warre. 
France prospers in fflanders ; now o*" fears are of a standing army, 
papists and persecution. 

The attempt on y* place put a stop to y® French progresse, giving Dender- 
them much losse in y' baggage by innundacon, and losse of men by mond. 
storme & sally. The Spaniards also had a good bout upon 500 of 
y' horse, & on an inrode by y' garrisons into Picardie, yett they 
attempt Lisle. 

My daughter Jane went to waite on old M" Harlakenden ; her Nov. 5. 
mother wept for it. 

Isaac Hodson 7 Oct. began his yeare, he is to have 3/. per annum. 

Parliam* began. The Keepers speech by order of the King Nov. 10. 
good ; Tompkins w*** the Commons moved to give the King thanks 
for disbanding the armie, putting out papists, daming (sic) patentees, 
and laying aside the E. of Clarendon, the late Chancello' ; agreed 
too ; a handsome beginning even as I desired. 

^ " It was everywhere said that the Court had sold England to the papists, that 
a French army was about to land, & the general massacre of Protestants to begin 
at last. " (G. M. Trevelyan. History of England under the Stuarts, p. 356.) 



158 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

Oct. 27. The 23 day the King laid y« first stone of y* exchange, on 
^ch ^y 26 years before y® flames began to burn in Ireland. 

Jan : 26, 67, 52 years enters. 

Sensible this day entred my 52, and completed my 51 yeare ; thus 
my dayes flee away, and good see I not the world. 

Feb. 9. Discourst y* Dutch chose o' King y' Protecto"". Wee have great 
plenty of come, but scarcity of mony to admiracon. 

Feb. 16. A cheerful season, but 10, the sitting down of pari. & actings was 
with great distast ; no moderacon heard of, taxes propounded ; 
Court careles. 

Feb. 20. Preacht Paul Raynhams funeral at Chappel, a great audience : 
one M" Martin s^, I being in my coat, if shee should see one 
preach a sermon in coat or cloake shee would run out of the church : 
thus ordinances left naked. 
March.22. W" I come to view my estate, I find through mercy all my 
children about mee, my eldest sonne trading in the world, and I 
hope with Gods blessing, some others able to doe something ; I 
find no great gain, and its of mercy I doe not goe behind hand ; my 
stocke I thinke is rather better than last yeare ; I have purchased 
and paid for an house on the green, cost mee 16/., and I have laid 
out at least 6/. on it, and I am not in debt, but have 20/. owing mee 
since last yeare ; the Lord adde to my graces & comforts, for I find 
a decay in nature ; I observe, since the three comets, though wee 
had droughts & scarcity of hay, yett plenty & so a great cheapnes 
of corne. 

1668. 

April. 26. Noise of y® peace with France & Spain, and y' invading England. 
May. 10. Strange newes of attempts to fire London, of feares of French 

ruine by y' great comings over. 
June. 7. Strange suspicions in mens spirits, the Lord bee our hope & 

help ; man buzzeth nothing but amazing feares. 
June. 14. This day my bodies sorenes fully visible on mee. 
June. 21. A place at London for An. Lord direct us ! 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 159 

An went y* 24 towards London ; Lord goe with her, bee the 
guide of her youth ! 25, left her by agrem^ with M"" Gresham in y* 
exchange at London, returned weary & sore, but thankfull to God: 
27, my son a great greif e, Lord reclaim him from disorderlines I 

Haveril faire being on the 15 & Satturday, I went this day & June. 17. 
bought 7 heifers, 6 runts* at 32s. only 2s. abated, God prosper Haverill 
them : charge 5s. 

An bound on Aug : 20, her time out June 24, 1674, Lord re- Aug. 23. 
member her for good I 

Heard An ill at London. Sept. 26. 

Heard An hopefully upwards of the small pox. Oct. 4. 

John went towards London, under a sentence of death, having Oct. 14. 
no hopes in him as formerly, the Lord trieth my faith. 

Bound John to M' Buggin at y*^ Globe in Barbican : he is to Nov. 13. 
receive 45/. 

God good in many providences ; I was entred my 53 yeare before Feb. 14. 
I was aware. 

M. Hey with mee ; the King, Duke of York, overturned in a March.21 
coach in Holborn going to y* race at Newmarket : March. 8, the K. 
lost his race : 10, the D. of Yorks closset search t : March 19, 
s** robd. 

1669. 

John sicke of y* small pox. April. 18. 

Heard hopefully of Johns recovery. April. 25. 

S«> the Q. with child. April. 27. 

Rid to Court, whither summoned for not wearing the surplice ; July. 9. 
dismissed w***out fee. 

Made an end of haying for y* yeare, and my hay very good, God July. 10. 
bee praised for y* mercy : it cost mee the least of any yeare, 
mowing & making & inning not above 40s. besides my own helpe. 

Drought & heat continues, sickly at London, nigh 700 in this Sept. 5. 
bill : near 300 of the plague in y* guts. Heard of y® Q. mothers 
death, y^ S* Albans hath her joynture of 50,000/. 2 yeare, 

RP" visitacon of London at Kelvedon, where committing my selfe Sept. 8. 

' An animal below the usual size. 



160 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

to God without sollicitousness, I appeared with quiet, for which I 
blesse y* L*' & desire to serve him w*** more faithfulnes & care 
my remaining dayes : visit, fee, 2s. 4t/. 

Sept. 12. Drought continues : 707 died at London, mine well. 

Sept. 26. I rid to Ladie Veres, 88 years old ; her senses continue, her great 
grandchild a man, E. of Lincolne : three homely ladies there ; y* 
Lords beauty is best, but bloud gives nothing good. 

Sept. 11. Peter hired for another yeare, w*'** is to end the day after Halsted 
faire, & to have 4/. 10s. and paire of shoes. 

Nov. 11. Went to preach a funeral ; I r*' 20s. paire of gloves & blesse God. 

Nov. 28. State disturbances, fears of insurrection, charges of treason agst 
Orrery & Ormond. 

Dec. 11. In y® morning my sons shop broke open, and nigh 50/. of good 
stollen : I providentially heard of them & pursued, but returnd, 
troubled, yet hoping well. 

Dec. 12. Those y* robbed us were first found by the man I imployd to 
pursue ; one escaped with a good part of the goods, the other three 
committed to Cambridge jayle, Dec. 13 : my son returnd the 14, 
and most of o' goods fetcht home, 16 : God alone have the glory. 

Jan. 9. Deaths many ; Monke died. I thinke it was on Wednes. Jan 5, 
it thundered 3 straks, one very violent with lighting, God preserve us. 

Jan. 21. Jonathan Woodthorp of o' town, a tanner, askt my consent to 
come to my daughter Jane and had it, on this ground especially 
that he was a sober, hopefull man, his estate about 500/. 

Jan. 26. 69, 54 y. enters. 

Sensible of my birth a sinner. Recommended my selfe to Gods 

care to blesse mee in all my ways ; fears for my children but I leave 

them on Gods care. 

Feb. 2. Monks dutches died, Jan. 23, 20 dayes after housband, persons 

y* by bringing in the King came to a vast estate, but base and sordid. 

March. 1 3. Threats of severity ags* nonconformists ; God can stop all if pleasd : 

son returnd : the theives remitted to Chelmsford to bee tried there, 

burglary. 

March.l6. This day my sons 3 theives condemned at Chelmsford to bee 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 161 

hangd ; afterwards they confessed the fact : 18, Jonathan Wood- 
thorp, and my daughter Jane, testified y' agreem^ to marry ; God 
in mercy blesse them. 
The L*** moderate the act agst meetings, opposing magna charta. March. 20. 

1670. 1670. 

Cow calved ; administred the sacrament, only 14 present. April. 3. 

The Kings only sister died suddenly in France, within a few days June. 26. 
after her return from Dover, * where the King entertaind her with 
all pleasures might bee ; Liord sanctifie this. The ArchB^ of Can- 
terbury ill, the poore nonconformist hurried ; one Hunnicke a 
disturber in o' parts. 

Begun a jorney into Sussex, returnd Aug. 2, having seen much July. 25. 
of Englands glory, Hampton Court, Thames, returnd safe. 

My daughter Jane married to Jonathan Woodthorp, o' first Aug. 30. 
marriage ; the Lord blesse them with his grace & favo*" ; for porcon 
I am to give her 200/. ; her clothes, and wedding cost mee 10/. ; shee 
hath a prettie thing in joynture : blessed bee God who hath thus 
provided for mee and mine : her plate & worke is worth 40/., and 
shee hath in mony 20/. 

Rid to the visitacon, & found no trouble, God bee praised ; Oct. 10. 
preached at Halsted. 

Peters yeare is to come out Octob. 31, 1671 ; he is to have 5/. Oct. 27. 
wages and his mare, going untill Candlemas day. 

Purchased a tan office for my son : setled it on Jane for her life. Jan. 19. 

Jan: 26: 1670 ; my 55 enters. 

Lord thou hast been my God, my hope is in thy mercy ; looke 
after mee & mine for soule & body, for on thee I trust. 

Johns debauchery in swearing sad, Lord helpe mee; so bad 6, 7, Feb. 4. 
that I resolve to put him to his shifts, for the Lords sake lett it 
tend to his good. 

' By her agency Charles had recently concluded the Secret Treaty of Dover. 

L 



162 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

1671. 1671. 

March. 26. Day warm & calme ; death hanseld us at Colne this yeare : the 

wickednes & iniquity of England increase. L^ Lucas likely to be 

sent to tower by L^* for speaking somewhat freely agst the taxes, 

w*^^ are heavy beyond measure, the 20*** p' of o' yearly state. 

Estate. Through Gods blessing I have accomplisht in my estate y^ utmost 

that I desired by June 24, viz. an 120/. but my stocke is low. 
Sept. 24. Being y* last Sabbath of the yeare, I publiquly declared my 
submission to y' putting mee away, having for 15 yeares w*^ held 
y' contribucon w^** was 25/. per annum, as also most of there tithes, 
& now y* w*'^ others allowed, w*'^ I took from God with y* greatest 
patience, but from them w'** great unkindnes, but I trust God will 
tiu-ne it unto good: I am thine Lord, though not theirs. 
Oct. 8. This day I went down to preach, & found Mr. Sergeant there : 
he read Ezech. 2. Lord lett it bee known I have been thy servant 
& thou acceptest mee: the 12 psalm was sung ; not one person 
spake to mee, coming out of the church: L^ I am dispised, but my 
confidence is in thee, & with quietnes I roule my selfe on thee. 
Jan. 7. A good faire season: 10, at y* Funeral of y® good Lady Vere 
who lived beloved and blessed of God 90 yeares, died lamented 
of all. 

March. 13. Wednesday rid to London, y* day S' Robert Holmes y* fired the 
Fly * attempted the Smima fleet ; 16, a declaracon came out for 
liberty of conscience: 19, the Dutch warre proclaimed and fast 
appointed, both ordered by the King and Councill on the Lords day. 

1672. 1672. 

April. 17. A fast on occasion of the Dutch warre, which all are against. ' 
28, or y'abouts, a monster born in o' town ; the grandfather 
esteemed religious, but the children wretched. 

' He captured New Amsterdam in the first Dutch war of the reign of 
Charles II, & destroyed a large number of Dutch merchant ships at the island 
of Vlie. 

' Because the alliance with France was unpopular. 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 163 

Monday neare 3 a clocke afternoon my daughter Woodthorpe April. 29. 
delivered of a son, the first grandchild ; God blesse him with his 
Christ. 

The Dutch bear up gallantly. May. 26. 

The Dutch set on o' fleet in Solebay, fight continued. May. 28. 

My onely grandchild, John Woodthorp, buried, June 4. 

God afflicts the Dutch by French, June. 9. 

Sad with Holland, the French prevaile at land. June. 16. 

Holland drowns it selfe ; oh y* evil of sin, L** drown it in June. 23. 
Christs bloud. 

Sad with Holland, some speake of peace between us. June. 30. 

A good season ; Utle thought of a Dutch peace ; o' Councel so July. 21. 
for the French, its likely the Dutch come wholly under them. 

Y* souldiers went from us. Nov. 3. 

I heard the report of y* French endeavo' to reforme in religion ; Nov. 17. 
if of God it will prosper ; God grant it true ; it came to nothing at 
present. 

Being at my daughter Janes at Lexden I was taken in my bed, Nov. 27. 
or coming out of it with y® sciatica pain in my hipbone so y' I could 
not step, and when I came home not turne my selfe in my bed ; 
wholly deprived of strength on y* side but through mercy God 
gave mee in y* use of meanes some helpe ; y' was a surfett with 
oysters, w*^^ though they did not nauseat my stomacke, mett with 
so much phlegme in my stomacke, & being bound, they lay cor- 
rupting in my stomacke. I eate at first litle but dranke wine, 
strong beere pretty freely, & y* carried them of, and my vomit had 
a tincture of them to Tuesday, Decemb. 3. I sweat, eate well, but 
gather strength slowly this being 24 ; but I am under great hopes Dec. 24. 
of a perfect recovery & I hope quickly. I had a servant died ; this 
a mortal time in o' towne, about 15 buried in 7 weeks ; to y® praise 
of my good God I record that on the 25, 26, I began to take many 
steps without sticke or stay. 

This day afternoon I went down to church and preacht, Eccl. Jan. 5. 
9. 5. a great audience. 

Went to Markshall : my L. Honywood sent her coach for me : Jan. 27. 
y' I stayd to March 10, in w*^^ time my Lady was my nurse, & 



164 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

phisitian & I hope for much good: on Thursday, Feb. 27, or 
sooner, some red spots appeard on my lame thigh, w^** they con- 
ceived y® scurvy. I tooke purge & other things for it ; they in- 
creased some to a penny breadth, my thigh & leg swelled, but not 
on y* other side, & so they did before I went from home, & 
continue so still ; God was good to mee in the temper of my heart, 
though I am sensible I beare my infirmities about mee, but my 
wife taxes mee for great impatience, when I feare y' is a carelesnes 
in her &c. & impatience too much, y^ beares nothing, but expects 
I must beare all ; God inable mee therto, for I have need of 
patience when I have done my duty. 
March. 10. Returned home : a wonderful spirit of zeale agst y® papists. 

1673. M' Eldreds cutting day, feasted, gave mee 2 ginneys. 

March. 27. June 15, about one a clocke in y® morning my eldest sonne 

1 nomas xhomas & my most deare child ascended early hence to keep his 

■' everlasting Sabbath with his heavenly Father, and Savio' with the 

church above ; his end was comfortable, & his death calme, not 
much of paine till the Saturday afore. 

July. 31. This morning after 2 of the clocke my deare Ann in her 
Ann twentieth year died with mee at Colne ; a good child, following her 

Josselm brother to London, & from thence hither, to lie in his grave, loving 
in their lives & in their death they were not divided, lying in the 
same grave. 

Oct. 21. At)out 5 of the clocke, my daughter Jane deliv^ of a daughter, 
which wee baptized that day. 

Oct. 28. This day my wife & I have been married 33 yeares ; this day my 
son sold Bollinhatch for 123/. for w*'^ I have been bid 150/. God 
blesse mee in the dispose of the mony. 

Nov. 5. Gods deliverances a hope to us ; he will deliver agst y* feares of 
popery at present in England, the duke marrying Modena^s daughter. 

Nov. 9. Frost and snow, the Pari, prorogued. 

Jan. 26, 1673, 58 enters. 

Jan. 26. Sensible this day begins my 58 yeare« in which I desire Gods 
presence & blessing with mee. 



RALPH JOSSELIN^S DIARY 165 

My leg occasions thoughts of the dropsie ; the Lord I looke unto Feb. 1, 
to bee my phisitian. 

On y" day the K. in y« house of Lords declared to them & Fast 11. 
Commons y* the peace was made with the Dutch, safe, hon**^®, & he 
hoped lasting ; the D. of Yorks marriage by the French interest 
with Modena, his inclinacon to the R. religion, the great offers of 
y® French to y* English to continue y® war, hastned the peace. 

Parliam* prorogued to Nov. 10 ; K. speech smooth, a disappointm*^ 22. 

to y* country ; no notice of it in the Thursday gazet.* They touch t 
Arlington, succession not in a papist, Ireland, where y* papists are 
mighty, & popery here & would give no mony ; God waited to 
bee gracious by them to make a peace with y* Dutch. 

Reports of a new Parliam* ; all change, only God abides y* same. March. 22. 

25. March. 1674. 1674. 

Receivd an 100/. of the purchase mony for the land at Roxwell March. 25. 
& two ginneys for my wife. 

A cloud brake at Ratlesden in Suffolke & did much mischeife. May. 1. 

Gave Ned Harris Is. on condicon to be sober quarter of a year May. 12. 
& spend only 2d, at a sitting, with a real intent & prayer to God & 
counsell for his good; Lord second it ; he tooke it kindly ; s** never 
Is. given to any person with so good an intention. 

Wore a new gown & cassocke, my old one still being in use after June. 28. 
35 years of age ; an old freind and a new heart are good. 

A choice day of civill concourse mixt with religious at y« L. July. 2. 
Honywoods, whither came y* Countesse Dowager of Warwicke & 
her sister y* L. Renula : goodnes & greatnes sweetly mett in them ; 
I writt to y* Countesse who invited mee to Leez. 

R^ a letter from the Countess of Warwicke writt with her own July. 5. 
hand inviting mee to Leez and promising mee a kind welcome as 
long as she liveth. 

* In the earlier years of the reign of Charles II. The Intelligencer was published 
on Mondays, The News on Thursdays. In i666 The London Gazette replSiCGd The 
Intelligencer ; the news contained in these papers was meagre, but, such as it 
was, Charles II.'s subjects had to be content with it. 



166 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

Sept. 18. I received 11/. 8s. of M' Cressener for tithes, y« greatest sum I 

ever received at once ; he paid grumblingly, yett Lord blesse him. 

Sept. 27. The Pari, prorogued, & Arlingtons house burnt by fire Sept. 22 

at night, to his great losse. 
Sept. 30. God good this day in y* kindness of M" Harl. & receivd 10/. 12s. 

arrears from the priory, a spring opened in a dry place. 
Oct. 23. Rid towards London, returnd 29 ; did y® busines I went for well. 
Being L*. Mayor Viner had his show, y* K. & Court dining at 
Guildhall ; my jorny comfortable. 
Offer to John set yo' selfe to feare God, & bee industrious in my busines, 
John refrain yo' evill courses, & I will passe by all past offences, setle all 
betore ms ^^ estate on you after yo"^ mothers death, and leave you some stocke 
foure ^^ y* ground & within doores to the value of an 100/. and desire of 
sisters, you, out of your marriage portion but 400/. to provide for my 
' daughters or otherwise to charge my land with so much for y' 
porcons ; but if you continue yo' ill courses I shall dispose my land 
otherwise, and make only a provision for yo' life to put bread in 
yo' hand. 
Dec. 15. John y* day ownd his debauchery ; God give him a true sight of 
it & heale him. 

Quakers increasd ; John Garrod their head in o' town, building 
them a meeting place, appointing to meet once a week ; I am not 
ov** solicitous of the effect, having seen Abbotts meeting house left, 
expecting God will appear for his truth, and I hope in perticular 
for mee in this place who truly desire to feare his name. I doe not 
determine why, but this morning viz 26, y^ Garrods wife died, 
within 6 weeks of the use of that house ; I onely desire to feare 
and tremble, but doe not question y* downfall of that sect under y* 
feet of Christ & his servants. 
Jan. 1. A new yeare, wherin I lookt up to God for his grace & 

blessing. 
Jan. 3. Warme, dry, calme Christmas, grasse springing, herbes budding, 
birds singing, plowes going ; a litle rain only in two dayes, viz. 
Dec. 29, 30 : fogge Jan. 5, 6, no mention of frost, though some 
dayes cleare sun shining, moon & starrs appearing by night : most 
persons said never such a Christmas known in the memory of man; 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 167 

yet I suppose 37 yeares before y* like & one said 46 o' 47 was such 
an one. 

John declared for his disobedience no son ; I should allow him 
nothing except he tooke himseife to bee a serv' ; yet if he would 
depart and live in service orderly I would allow him 10/. yearly ; if 
he so walkt as to become Gods son, I should yett own him for mine. 

Jan. 26. 74. 59. 

Sensible this day ended my 58 & begun my 59 yeare; Lord bee 
good to mee in this & all y^ are to come. 

Weather cold, windy & drie, God good in o' health, w" the smal Feb. 7. 
pox is in many families & towns about : news of putting the laws 
in execucon agst papists & nonconformists: I count y^ English of 
y^, the pari, shall sit in April, & bee cajold to give a great taxe ; 
ol)serve. 

Wee serve God in peace when others are hurried about by 1675. 
informers. April. 18. 

My sweld leg brake, w^^ at first occasioned thoughts as to April. 25. 
sorenes, gangrening by the blacknes of it, & following of the humo', 
but I blesse God. 

My ill leg sweld very much, with some pain, stiifnes and a kind 
of numnes in y® former part of both my feet as I have had formerly ; 
it had great influence on my thoughts; God in mercy stood between 
mee & y^ thoughts of death & the feares of it ; my leg issued a 
litle, I applied a searcloth ; * it run but not much, it broke at a 
blacke spott ; y* like is lower, on my inward knocle ; my wife 
applied a large roule to my leg of bole arnimake to dry and abate 
the humo' ; I praise God my mind is composed on his good will. 

Applied a poultis of red rose leaves and milke: 18, used Tabors May. 17. 
pills, they purgd but twice. 

The blacknes & swelling of my legg abates. May. 23. 

My wife with o' 2 daughters Mary & Elizabeth went for London June. 2. 
to Hackney school ; God blesse them in y*^ educacon both for soule 
& body. 

' Cloth anointed with some glutinous matter of a healing nature. 



168 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

Issue. On Monday D' Tabor made an issue on mee in order to y* cure 

June. 7. of my leg ; Lord blesse it^ and restore mee to my perfect health ; 
read D'^ Owen on Mortification. I blesse God for some passages 
therin. 

June. 13. The parliam* prorogued, June 9, to Oct. 13 ; it prevented the 
Test ; * it was said by the King the fewd between the houses was 
from the enemies of the King & Church of England ; the Commons 
voted they knew not of any such thing ; it arose about an appeale 
to the L*" in the case of S*" J. Fagge a member of y® commons. ' 

July. 11. Intend for Tunbridge, God in mercy bee my phisitian; the waters 
are his prepared phisicke ; the small pox next doore to my house, 
God preserve mee. 

July. 12. Set out for Tunbridge wells, whither I came 13; begun to drinke 
9 8-ounce glasses: the 14'^, I drunke 15 glasses & so continued 
from 17 to Aug. 1, inclusive: wee came thence Aug: 4, & so home 
Aug. 12 ; God merciful to mee in my jomey, the waters passing 
well with mee, & good to mine in my absence for w^** his name 
bee praised. 

Oct. 17. Drought continues ; great fears of o' poor rising up & down o' 
contry, esp. those y^ belong to the wool trade. One Rugles of this 
parish, a quaker, a rude fellow, disobedient to his mother, sent to 
y* house of correction. 

Nov. 28. Coughs common: parliam* prorogued to Feb. 76. 

Dec. 5. News of a parliamK The smal pox in another house at the mill. 

Dec. 12. The smal pox stops at present ; God stop it in much mercy. 

Dec. 28. Reported the King dead among mean people. 

Jan. 18. Reports again of y® Kings death ; Lord preserve his life for good. 

Jan. 23. My leg runs, sadly painful ; healing is thy blessing, y° hast & 
wilt doe it. 

^ ** A Non-Resisting Bill was introduced.... No one was to sit as a legislator 
until he had sworn to alter nothing in Church or State.... But its passage into 
law was prevented only by a timely quarrel between the two houses. '* (G. M. 
Trevelyan. England under the Stuarts, p. 381.) 

' Fagge had acquired the estate of Wiston which had belonged to the Sherleys. 
Thomas Sherley brought a suit for the recovery of this estate & carried the case 
to the House of Lords, but was ordered into the custody of the sergeant-at-arms, 
Fagge being a member of the House of Commons. (Diet, of Nat. Biography.) 



— T 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 169 

Jan. 26, 75, 60. 

Sensible this entred my 60 yeare ; I grow an old man ; my leg Jan. 26. 
swels hard on y* calfe & so continueth in mornings. 

In the morning a litle rubbing my leg, it bled exceedingly above Feb. 5. 
y*^ sore place ; my leg ass waged y'upon ; it bled a quart as my 
wife thought, blackish and doddered. * 

Leg not so much sweld as formerly ; it heals not ; sometimes Feb. 20. 
painfull, drest but seldome ; a wonderfull decay of trade & so of 
traders, corn cheape, hard with poore for want of worke & rich for 
want of mony. 

Likely to find an hard time agst the nonconformists, upon a Feb. 27. 
trouble at Ipswich where was the first stirre at y® Scotch troubles. 

1676. 1676. 

God good in his word, freinds with mee at a good turky. I April. 2. 
delighted to eate y* good creature with them, blessing my good God. 

At visitacon, o*" mony paid, all peace: Ap. 11, baptized Dol April. 7. 
Andrews. 

A muster of our County forces. May. 18. 

A dismal fire in Southwarke ; Lord y° cuttest England short ; May. 26. 
many hundred houses burnt, in y* cheife street : there was treachery 
and firing, God thinke on us. 

Mens minds discomposed in the times with fears of French plots. July. 2. 

A young man M' Smith from London proffered his love to my Sept. 2. 
daughter Mary ; shee refused him, as shee had formerly done an- 
other of good estate : he went away Sept. 5, very sorrowful, most of 
o*" affections much to him. 

This day wee had a parochial visitacon ; somethings complaind Sept. 19. 
of, as the want of a surplice, in other things it was well. 

At night M' Shirly made an offer of his service and love to Sept. 25. 
Mary ; God direct that affaire. 

R** a kind present from London from M' Smith ; some places Oct. 8. 7. 
preacht not, it was so wett, 1 intermitted not. 

» Clotted. 



170 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

Oct. IS. My son the seat of drunkennes, oh Lord can thy spirit ever come to 
delight in him. 

Oct. 29. Advised with a surgeon for my leg, but my hope is in God. 

Nov. 26. R** from M' Bowes, Pierson on the Creed, a booke worth 10s. ; I 
accept his love, God return it. 
Dec. 3. This weeke John wholly out in his filthy courses ; I am resolved 
to leave him to thee oh God, only I will pray for him. 

Dec. 12. Snew again at night ; it was y* deepest snow I ever remembred, 
lying about knee high of a man every where without any great 
drifts. . 

Dec. 19. Set apart this day with my familie to humble my soule before God, 
for our sins, to seeke his direction for and blessing on us & ours : 
the special occasion, Johns ill housbandry & Eliz. offer of a young 
man from London who is coming down & shee seems very averse. 
I read in course in morning Mic : 4, passages y' in comfort, in alter- 
ing things from bad to good ; Lord make them so among mine. I 
first proposed a duty to looke up to direction from God, Ezra : 8. 
21, who hath y° cast in our lott. Is. 34. 17 ; then I commended all 
to God in prayer : if God cast yo' lot, rest in it, & to know it observe 
Pro. 3. 6 ; own God & he will direct you ; Psal. 32. 8. was Gods 
direction, is by o' parents for children. Eph. 6. 1,2, 3, its right ; 
answer y* in Ezra : rest in a housbands house, Ruth. 1.9. ; y*" done 
w** both bring Gods feare, mutual love, & industrious prudence ; 
the way is by parents provision, & children following y' counsell, 
as Abraham tooke a wife for Isaac, whom he tooke & loved. Gen. 
24, & thus God comforts in losses in one another. Ruth shee fol- 
lowed Naomis counsell & all well, though y* counsel at y* barnfloure 
seemd strange. Let mee shew you an instance of a headie marriage 
in Samson ; it turnd to his death ; agst his parents advice he would 
marry, &c. God casts your lot in parents choice, Exod. 2. 19. 21. 
Numb. 30 ; vows to God allowd or disallowd by parents, otherwise 
free ; y'fore my children receive y* counsel as Gods not mine ; tis 
mine because Gods & so its Gods being mine, a father y* is to counsel,, 
w^^ wilbee yo' crown as theirs, 1 Thes. 2. 13 ; it will effectually 
worke obedience, & y'fore hear him. Pro. 23, 22, Pro. 8. 8, 9. I 
am perswaded a blessing will follow y* counsel embraced. Is. 55. 




RALPH JOSSELIN^S DIARY 171 

3. Yo' soules shall live : & I hope God will give an answer of 
peace ; I will pray & looke up, & my God shall speake peace. I 
praid thrice with them ; their mother gave them y* same advice, 
God in mercy give them his blessing. 

M"" Smith came safe. Dec. 23. 

M' Smith returnd towards London satisfied in his jorney with Dec. 29. 
hopes of my Elizabeths love : God seen in inclining her heart, w*** 
was very awkward at first. My affections drawn from the hopes 
his sobrietie & good nature gave, y* grace & industry might meet to 
make him a good housband, for his estate was small. 

1676, Jan. 26, 60, 61 enters. 

Sensible this day ends my 60 and enters my 61, wherein I begun 
with thoughts of God. 

The Chancello' Finch was robd of mace & purse. Feb. 10. 

A wonderfull wett season, in w^^ M' Smith came down to us. Feb. 26. 

All my children with mee ; M' Smith parted with good comfort Feb. 28. 
& content. 

The Court partie prevaile in Parliam* * ; God bee our defence. March. 4. 

1677. 
My Bettie flieth of from M' Smith ; Lord bee y° my comfort. May. 13. 

After some difficulties to mee on both hands, M' Gilbert Smith & June. 5. 
my daughter Elizabeth married by my hand in Lexden privately : 
8, shee rod towards London ; the ground and bottom of the match 
among us was not estate, but good qualities ; lett them shine, Lord, 
in them both ; let her bee as Ehzabeth in scripture. 

Sent some houshold towards London for my daughter Smith. June. 16. 

Begun to take sirrup of peUitory ; God almighty doe mee good by July. 8. 
it for on him I trust. 

O' booke of common prayer was taken out of the deske. Sept. 2. 

At visitacon, where I receivd admonicon to use all the prayers Sept. 5. 
alwayes. I found at home a gentleman from London to proffer his 
love to Mary. 

M' Tims who proffered his love to Mary returnd to London, Sept. 8. 

* Shaftesbury had been sent to the Tower by the House of Lords in February. 



172 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

satisfied in us, but not in her : it wrought much as Betties busines ; 
God knoweth the issue ; direct Lord, Betties doth wonderful! 
well. 

Oct. 28. The news of the Ladie Maries marrying the prince of Orange 
pleasd the kingdome. 

Nov. 11. M' Tims came again, returnd on y® 14, unkindly used by Mary, 
though kindly by us. Heard to my joy how lovingly M' Smith & 
his wife live, w^** marriage I urged. 

Nov. 16. Heard y' y** city was alarmd y' the papists plotted a massacre 
there ; was y* marriage a pillow to lull us asleepe ? 

Nov. 23. Heard of y^ death of James y® eldest son of M' Shirley, who 
made great love to my daughter & then fell of ; a mercy shee is not 
a widdow ; shee never shewd respect to any young man but to him. 
Dec. 1. I thought matters were not only uncomfortable, but also un- 
prosperous. I cast up my account & I estimate y* my mony stocke, 
my debts p**, was about 300/. I thinke I have been to blame in 
my charitie moneys : straits make us forgett o' selves. L*" I am 
now old & I have no worke like serving thee and assuring my 
salvacon through Christ. 
Jan. 1. I gave above 20s. to my tenants & poore in meat. 

Jan. 25. I was often thinking of the providence of God that was putting 
an end to y^ familie of Harlakenden, being good men, & thought- 
full of the females ; my heart trembled, and though I was getting 
up moneys for corn more than ordinary & paying debts, yet this 
day I reflected on Gods providence in my estate, having of my 
Welsh heifers three dead calves & but one living ; Lord teach mee 
humility, & submission, I am the greater sinner. 

Jan. 26. 1677. 

Sensible it entred my 62 yeare ; read in course Acts 14, of the 
impotent man in his feete, with faith God would keepe my dis- 
temper from hurt, would heale it & doe mee good. 
Jan. 30. Heard of y® eagerness of o' king for warre with France : 
y« Pari, voting 70M. to bury the late King after 29 years 
being in grave. Strange things. Why is not mony voted to 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 173 

buy * & harlots petticoats? God will be seen in y® mount 

as I preacht. I have no opinion * o' medling with France, 

of o' conduct or sincerity, but y" Lord reignest, & He bee quiet. 

That day y® Parliam*^ sat down, the French King began his jorny Feb. 17. 
towards Germany; the King receiving an adresse from them, school** 
them ; they voted 20 regim^ foote, 4 horse, 2 of dragoons, 90 ships 
to support the Dutch alliance, Sp. Netherlands & abate y* French; 
weekely charge per month at 28 days 157/.000 & upwards. 

A million granted the King to begin the war with France ; wee Feb. 24. 
are a people peeled & polled. 

The French K. passing on for Germany to Nancy in Lorraine on March. 1. 
a suddain came backe to Flanders, his forces seem likely to attempt 
Namur ; the Dutch forces marcht to Hasselt. 

S** Gaunt was taken after defence of severall dayes. March. 10. 

1678. 
Pari: adjourned until April. 11. March. 28. 

A publique fast, which I endeavoured to keepe with all solemnes, April. 24. 
and I had a considerable audience of my people & some strangers; 
it was called by the King, no mention of his Council o"^ parliam* Fast, 
advising, though both in sitting. Y® proclamation past March 30: 
no mention of it in the Gazet of Monday Ap. 8, til the Thursday 
Gazet : no mention of war o' peace, nor blessings desired on y® 
counsells on foote. The King & city kept it Ap. 10, while y* Pari, 
was adjourned, so y* neither House kept it by themselves and called 
preachers to them. I thought it shewd that the King had no great 
esteem for his good & blessed parliam^ ; no notice in the Gazets of 
the keeping this fast. 

Things in a cloud at London, the King saith the Dutch bafled and May. 5. 
ruind, a separate peace with the French. The Dutch jealous of the 
English least they have a designe to greaten Orange. Lord secure 
England in religion from popery & in liberty and from an army. 

Went not to Court ; I came of well for present as to surplice. May. 14. 
Gods name bee praised. 

The King asking his pari: counsell, and they denying to raise May. 19. 
a million of mony & reflecting too plainly on the evill counsello", 

1 The MS. is mutilated. 



174 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

the King prorogued them from 13 to 23: 23. the Kings speech 
imports displeasure agst the Pari. 

May. 26. The King seems to chide the Pari, to a doing what he would have. 

June. 2. In o'' publiqu affaires hopes y* y® crisis we apprehended to o' 
religion & liberty may admitt a longer putting of. 
Pari, voted to disband the army presently. 

June. 23. News that Spain ff ranee & Holland have made peace. England 
is to bee the securitie for it. The King demanded thereon 300w/. 
yearly for his life therupon, but y* house voted negative. 

Aug. 18. Peace between France & Holland ; but before known in y* Hol- 
land camp, in order to releiving Mons, they fell on y* French with 
great fury & slaughter * ; y® French retired, so y® bono*" of y® feild 
was to y* Dutch & English who fought valiantly. 

Sept. 12. Mett the Bp at Wittam. I was much complained of to him by 
M' Lampkin, preist of Hatfeild, & M^ Paul preist of Easthorp, & 
but coursely used by y* Bp. I thanke God for my patience & his 
goodnes to mee going & returning. 

Sept. 15. I urged for Pauls, wee gathered 31. 

Nov. 17. A good day: the plotters ' seem to make opposicon in o*" councels. 

Nov. 24. The House committed Secretary Williamson to the tower, ' the 

King releasd him, a passage that looks not well, God amend all. 
Dec. 1. Heard good news from London ; s^ the Queen is accused in this 

plott. 
Dec. 8. The King and House of Commons are a litle off one another; God 
prevent a breach to sever the parliam*: the army is to bee disbanded: 
some threat as the greatest revolucon wee ever saw were at the doore. 

Dec. 22. Jesuits tried & condemned. 

Dec. 29. The Treasurer * impeacht by the Commons. The Jesuites, 
Groves, Pickering and Ireland that were condemned, * repreived 

* William of Orange knew that peace was almost certainly signed. 

* In the Popish plot. 

' For issuing commissions to Popish recusants. 

* Danby. 

* " By Jeffreys, in a speech which wavered between pure abuse or a sermon 
which would have done credit to the most strenuous divine." (Pollock. The 
Popish ploi^ p. 332). They were all eventually executed. 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 175 

by the King during his pleasure ; the Houses addrest to. know the 
reasons. 

New yeare entred with the news of y* prorogacon of the Parliam' Jan. 1. 
till ffeb. 4th; people lookt on it as much troubled, so am I. 

The souldiers under the best officers disbanding. Jan. 12. 

Heard y* the Parliam' was prorogued for 3 weeks longer until Jan. 21. 
Feb. 25. The King declared in Councill on Satturday he would 
doe it. Lord publish thou thy decree. 

1678. 

I awaked toward morning & was sensible this day ended my 62 Jan. 26. 
& begun my 63 yeare ; glad a Sabbath. 

In the morning before I rose about 6 of y* clocke, I awakned & Jan. 27. 
had just dreamed, that one told mee that y*' parliam^ was to meet 
but for a morning & y* there were 11 men intended to make 
speeches : about 10 of the clocke I heard it was to bee dissolved & 
a new one chosen. God is still where he was : it cannot bee chosen 
till March : this was according to the counsell in Colemans letter : 
God is where he was. Honest men formerly desired y* dissolucon 
y'of but now its continuance was desired in reference to y* dis- 
covery of y^ plott. I supposed the Cabal doth it to gaine time & to 
bring on the French assistance. Many thought this parliam^ had 
so corrupted themselves & done so ill in the matters of the nacon 
& were formerly so odious y^ God would doe his worke by some 
other & never hono*^ them ; on the 26 at night a great fire at 
London, w*'^ amazed us in y* country pittying y* city under the 
treachery agst them ; my legge sore with cat bites. 

A cold snowy day, news of the kings illnes continues : busy in Feb. 9. 
chosing parliam^ : the first choice I heard of was at Harwich, two 
royall officers to y* fleet. 

The nacon busy about the choice of parliam^, God direct them, Feb. 16. 
y* they bee not outwitted, as the former were to raise an army ; 
s"* good choices in many places * & y^ the K. saith the contry 

* The Whigs swept the country. 



176 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

would chcx)se a dog if he stood agst a courtier : the peace goeth 

on beyond the seas, & the fears of France are on this side. 
Feb. 21. Heard the Duke of York had taken the Test & oaths & that he 

was made Admiral & Genei-all ; things worke, but God is awake 

and y' I rest my selfe. 
Feb. 23. S^ good choice made of Pari. men. 
Feb. 25. This day all o' Town in a manner went with M' Andrews & my 

son for the choice of K** of the shire. I endeavored for my con- 
treys good ; wee chose Mildmay, and Harvy, without the opposicon 

of any one person in the feild appearing agst them. ' 
March. 6. I desired to send o' choice men into the Pari, house with a 

blessing ; the country shewed themselves in y® choice, though much 

divided in sects. 
March.7.8. The old Scotch regim* of Douglas marcht for Harwich, & so for 

Ireland or sea to have an eye on the French : s** the Duke of Yorke 

gone out of the kingdom to Holland. 
1679. The pari, seemeth wonderfuU couragious not fearing prorogacons 
March. 30. or dissolucons. Court are surely plotters or knowing of it. 
April. 18. Wee shall see whether y*' K. will comply with Pari, advice, or 

the Cabal. God incline his heart to his g^ & publique good. 
April. 19. Heard the treasurer Danby yeilded himselfe ; y* lords sent him 

to y* tower, and the King prorogued the parliament ; s** he was 

going to Windsor ; not true. 
April. 24. Perfected the purchase of Robert Carters land & setled it on my 

daughter Mary. 

May. 4. Affaires darke, yett the K. & Pari, seeme to bee on good termes. 

May. 28. Heard of the prorogacon of the Pari * ; not amazed. 

June. 29. Heard of the Scots route, ' Lord thou wilt maintain thy interest. 

leg. The weather being very hot, & after the day I preacht I found a 

10. 11. 12. great humo' in my legge, hot, pimpling, sore as catbites, running, 

hard, as tending to an inflamacon ; I was as quiet & litle urging of 

* It will be remembered that at the elections in i66i " we lost it. " " The 
principal reason of the whig success was the panic of the country. " (Trevelyan. 
p. 403.) 

' To prevent the passage of the Exclusion Bill. 

3 At Bothwell Brigg. 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY . 177 

it ; God in mercy preserve my healthy & remove the troublesome 
pains. 

I heard the p. was dissolved. July. 16. 

News amasing. s* S' G. Wakeman ' & divers Jesuites all cleard July. 20. 
by a vast shout of the papists. Lord I understand not the secret 
strings of this busines ; bring things to light, & let wickednesse 
punish the wicked whence it comes. 

Nel Guins mother died by one sudden & violent (sic), drunke Aug. 3. 
with brandie as s^. * 

The choice of Parliament men at hand ; I publiquly stird up Aug. 10. 
people to choose. 

Begun to picke hops. Aug. 26. 

Great reports of the Kings dangerous illnes ' ; Lord spare him if Aug. 3. 
thy pleasure. 

S<^ Monmouth banisht. Sept. 14. 

I cannot but thinke y® Courts designe is to make parliam^ useles, Oct. 12. 
or rid y* crowne of them. 

The parliam' is prorogued to Jan: 26. next ; * tis my birthday as Oct. 19. 
I reckon & I hope a good day. 

Good winter weather, God good in o' health ; a Strang fog Dec, 14. 
formerly at London w*^** caused colds y^ the Bills were above 700 
in beginning Decemb; it decreased 307, God preserve us. 

A wett day. My Cosin Gatton brought M' Williams to mee on Dec. 28. 
Maries account, whom I entertaind kindly & dismist well satisfied ; 
God blesse them. 

Allen the quakers speaker buried, the men & women following Jan. 25. 
severally in some order. 

Jan. 26: 79, my 64 enters. 

I was sensible of it & affected with Gods goodnes, not troubled 
in 63 as a critical & dangerous year though I often thought of 

' The Queen's physician, charged with conspiracy to poison the king. These 
were the first prisoners, accused by Oatcs, who were acquitted. 
' She was drowned : ill natured persons said she was drunk at the time. 

* He was expected to die. 

* There was again a Whig majority. 

M 



178 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

it. The Pari, should have satt this day ; its petitiond for, but 

if they may not sitt for Gods interest, he will stand up for it. 

Pari, broke Monarchy, perhaps God will have Pari, broken by 

Monarchicall ; time was, no addresses to the King by subjects ; 

now the K. will admitt no addresses to him ; we wiU to God, who 

will heare. 
Feb. 8. Dry & windie, great apprehensions of danger to the city & 

kingdom from the papists on the Dukes * return from Scotland ; 

God send peace. 
Feb. 22. Maries busines at an end ; God I hope did it in mercy to us all. 

1680. 
May. 16. An ofifer to Mary ; God direct. I wore y« surplice. 
May. 17. Rid to court, I avoided receiving articles, through Gods goodnes. 

I cast my care on him, he cared ; the matter is the surplice, which 

I see no sin to use, & shall endeav*^ to live as quietly as may bee 

to the end of my race ; s^ the King much better. 
June. 27. Legg much swelled ; we laid burdock leaves to leg & foot; God 

legg. preserve mee. 
July. 25. Legge something asswaged by the use of clote * leaves. 
Sept. 19. Leg rund much ; use green tobacco leaves, much asswaged : 

God cure. 
Oct. 10. My wife very ill, litle hopes of life ; my faith held God would 

spare her & I hope it shal bee so : my body emptied by vomitt & 

purge, that my leg is very small. 
Oct. 24. Pari. satt. Kings speech good ; the Lord blesse the assembly. 
Jan. 10. Parliam^ prorogued to Jan: 20. City petitioned 13, they might sitt 

again. 

1680. 

Jan. 26. Sensible this day entred my 65 yeare, I mourning it with God that 
he would bee with mee, subduing my corruptions, & keeping my 
heart close to him through the grace of Christ. 

Feb. 6. Wee were gathering for the captives of Algiers. 

» Duke of York- 
» Water-lily. 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 179 

My wife very ill again, God restore her ; one of o' town in jayle March. 20. 
for the highway trade, * to ray great losse I fear. 

Parliam' sits. ' March. 27. 

Pari, dissolved. ' Duke expected at London. March. 28. 

Grasse backward, hearts naught, my wife afflicts mee & her self; May. 1. 
God learns mee patient submission. 

On June 3, Mary quitted M*^ Rhea ; her exceptions were his age June. 4. 
being 14 yeares older, shee might bee left a wid. with children ; 
shee checkt at his estate being not suitable to her porcon, \^^ 
estate of his I suppose not above 350 at most, besides his living of 
an 100/. considering his debts ; he seemed to her not loving ; it 
was no small greif to mee, but I could not desire it, w° shee said it 
would make both y** lives miserable. I shall observe the issue on 
both parts. M** Rhea's estate was not as I thought. 

My leg indifferent ; I take the golden spirit scurvy grasse. * July. 3. 

All quiet in city & contry, und"^ noise of imprisonm^. July. 10. 

John married unknown to mee ; God pardon his errors. Oct. 16. 

The good Lady Honywood died early. I went to see her & Oct. 19. 
found shee was dead ; I prayed with her y® 17 : she was in a good 
frame, she was my good freind, & I hers ; wee lived in love about 
40 years acquaintance ; I was serviceable every way to her for 
soule & body, and in her estate more then ordinary ; shee left mee 
no legacy in her will ; shee s^ shee would adde a codicile to re- 
member mee & some others, but not done. 

The good old Lady Honywood buried ; not a glove, ribband, Oct. 26. 
scutcheon, wine, beare, bisquett given at her burial but a litle 
mourning to servants. The serv^ carried her, six persons with 
scarfs & gloves bare up the pall. 

* Does this mean that the man arrested had, for a price, protected Josselin's 
goods from other thieves ? " It was related of William Nevison, the great robber 
of Yorkshire, that he levied a quarterly tribute on all the northen drovers, and in 
return not only spared them himself, but protected them against all other thieves." 
(Macaulay's History ofEnglandy i, 301.) 

» The Third, at Oxford. 

' The king had received a promise froqi Louis xiv. of three years supply of 
money. 

* The leaves of an anti-scorbutic. # 



180 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

Nov. 27. Nothing yet of winter, heard of E. of Shaftesbury acquitall by 
leg : y« grand jury *; y« country & city wrung of it with joy. * My legg 

swelled much in the calf & upwards, Lord bee my salvacon. 
Dec. 4. Y* morning the first meat given catle abroad. Gathered for y*' 

French protestants. 
Jan. 1. Things very quiet in y*' land, notw'^standing threats agst dis- 
senters. 
Jan. 8. Quietnes in o' borders & in y« city, on which by a quo waranto ' 
they endeav' to gain mercy. 

Jan. 26. 1681. 

Sensible this day entred mee into my 66 yeare ; read this day in 
course Deut. 30, 20. God is my life & obedience y* way of life. 
March. 12. S** Duke of York come to Yarmouth to meete the King at New- 
market ; God send all well. 
1682. Things calm, but surely the papists have some great thing in 
April. 9. doing. 

May. 7. Wett ; flouds this weeke ; I could not stirre a plow ; much soft 
corn spoild ; I had a bad markett for corn ; my family troubles 
continue, esp. a froward wife. 

May. 26. The citie much hated by y* Court ; the Judges much pervert 
justice. 

Aug. 13. The popish partie seem to overdrive & flag, yet publique peace. 

Oct. 29. M' Day writt about Mary & his son ; God shew us mercy therin. 

Nov. 12. Yet quiet, though alarmd with a great tumult, 6, about y® bonfires. 

Coal. 14. Began to burn coal. 

Nov. 19. Quiet in o' streets ; persons forcd to church about us. 

Dec. 24. On the 25 at one of the clocke my freinds came from London ; 
the greatest chrismas I kept, y' being 2 young men M' Day & 
M' Spicer, wellwillers to my virgin daughters; wee had good society; 
3 of them went away, the 29th, well satisfied. 

* They were zealous Whigs and threw out the bill. 
' " The last Whig demonstration of this period. " (Trevelyan. p. 419.) 
' A writ of Quo Warranto (Edward I.'s) was issued and the city accused of 
breaking the terms of its charter : the charter was confiscated. 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 181 

Jan : 26 : 67 y. begun. 

Sensible this entred my 67 y. I blest God for his presence thus 
far with mee. I heartily repent me of my sins & hope in his 
mercy. 

A bitter morning from my wife, twice I mett with it already, God Jan. 28. 
give mee patience : poore dissenters hatterd (sic)^ yet wee are in 
publique peace, praisd bee God. 

Kept the Kings day. M' Day with us ; poor dissenters hatterd Jan. 30. 
at London. 

This weeke my breath was much stopt, w*'** in such a body of Feb. 18. 
humo" was very dangerous ; my leg sweld much : o" well at 
London, but freinds battered. 

This morning being cold windy & wett I preacht not ; God Feb. 25. 
pardon mee, it was not out of neglect, it was a force on mee ; some 
days past, my breath so short as if I should have died ; if I stird 
but a litle, my leg sweld wonderfully, & issue run out litle ; when I 
sat still I felt no pain nor trouble : the thoughts of y* dropsie 
returnd on mee .... God remove the fear of death from mee : 
my two daughters on y*" marriage, w*^** I was desirous to perfect. 

At night wonderful ill, I tooke pils, w*'** did much open & lighten Feb. 26. 
my body. 27, I slept ill, & find pains in my right side. 

I walkt before y® house, my children alarmd at London. Nf Day March. 3. 
came hastily down & found mee at y* gate. God gave mee liberty 
for his holy word : my breath returns. 6, my children came 
down. 7, Jonathan came with his bullocks : 12, M' Day, Mary, 
Bettie & my litle Jane rid up to London. 15, 16, I took a draught 
of Daffy Elixir ; it wrought much with mee : 17, I was taken ill 
at y*' priory, sneezing ; all things presented themselves duoble to 
mee ; I was lead home ; none preacht. 20, my children returned 
from London ; my great & dangerous cough ceasd. 

This day I had an indifferent good day ; M' Ludgater supplied 1683. 
my place. April. 1. 

My freinds being here from London, M' Spicer & son Smith April. 8. 
came in before 8 of the clock. I went down & read prayers & 
preacht a litle more than an houre from ps. 8. 6. ^^ I will dwell 



182 RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 

in the house of God for ever ; " goodnes should stirre up to more 
obedience ... in Gods outward wp. 

April. 10. Mary Josselin my 3^ daughter being somew^ above 25 y. old 
married to M*" Edward Day .... license under Bets hand ; he 
was a tallow chandler of S* Martins. He is his fathers only child, 
a man of a good estate, & godly conv'sacon. I gave her for porcon 
my house I dwell in & land belonging y' to worth 400/. and an 100/. 

April. 15. I was very short winded & with much difficulty went up & down 
to church. ... I was very ill, and concluded by y* swelling of my 

thighs & belly it was the dropsy London to D'^ Cox 

about it ; God blesse the means I shall use. 

May. 2. My children went to London ; y' sister Jane tooke on at mee & 
them for y' great porcons ; God give mee patience for I have more 
than ordinary need of it. 

May. 4. Heard of y^ health of my children : Cox sent me hie old receits ; 
the apothecary made mee pay deare. 

May. 6. M"^ Spicer married my youngest daughter M" Rebekah : I rid 
down in her coach & performed it for them ; my son Smith came 
down with them ; they returnd die the 1 2 : my wife . . . first 
much troubled ; I was joyd God had so well provided for her. I 
gave her 500/. down & with my blessing sent her away. 

May. 14. Taking y** harts home drops, I found my phlegm gathered much 
& thicke in my chest . . . Still my hope is in God to bring mee 
out of all thes troubles, though I am much sweld in my leg that 
I can scarce goe, & much strained in the nights in my chest ; my 
stomacke was indifferent well this 19 day & I rellisht my beare, & 
my bakt meate. 

May. 20. M' Livermore preacht. I began M' Spicers ale, I thought it 
did mee good . . . My drinke works well with mee. 

May. 25. Drunk my broome beere in my bed ; I endeavourd to sleepe 
after it ; I sweat indifferently. 

May. 31. A wonderfull wett May ; I was as sweld, and short breathd as if 
I should not have lived through the night, but God had mercy on 
mee. 

June. 1. I saw my countenance much changed ; it was 3 days y^ my left 
leg ran much: 3. I did not perceive I gathered strength nor lost 



RALPH JOSSELIN'S DIARY 183 

any, but in y* use of means continued in y« same way ; however I 
stay myself on my good God, y* y® sicknes doth not issue in death, 
but in a trial to doe mee much good. 

The weeke past, I slept well, my hands dry, my swelling much July. 1. 
in my thighs ; above I seem pretty well ; I find not my breath so 
troublesom as some nights formerly. M*" Livermore preacht for 
mee ; heard of a new plot ; s** L. Russel & Grey sent to the tower ; 
wee shall heare more afterwards ; . . . My wife & all the children 
well at London. 

My wife returnd safe from London, my six sons & daughters July. 7. 
came to the coach with her in health. About y* 10*^ day I took 
my scurvy grass drops, 12 at a time; I thought once it purgd 
mee Laying a plaister to my backe, it was better. 

God good in my preservacon. I . . . . went to Colchester. July. 15. 

Saw a breif account of my L** Russels trial & others, who were July. 22. 
all condemned. 

Wee begun harvest July 27 reaping and mowing. God send July. 29. 
us ' Heard all well at London, the German nearly 

by 



^ This is the last entry in the MS. It is written in a feeble hand. The rest of 
the entry is mutilated. 



INDEX 



Agreement of the People, 63. 
Albemarle, Duke of, see Moncke. 
Alehouses, 22. 
Algiers captives, 178. 
Anabaptists, 25, 33, 104, 1 12, 1 19. 
Archdeacon, visitation of, 141. 
Arlington, Earl of, see Bennet. 
Ashly, Lord, see Cooper. 
Ashly, Sir Jacob, 32. 
Association, see Eastern Association. 



B 



Bacon, Sir Francis, Justice of the 
King's Bench, 34. 

Bacon, Nathaniel, Master of Re- 
quests, 115. 

Baptism, Sacrament of, 25, 118, 155. 

Barkstead, John, regicide, 139-140. 

Baxter, Richard, 126, 134. 

Baylie, Thos. 60. 

Bedford, army at, 44. 

Bedfordshire, 5, 6. 

Bennet, Henry, ist Earl of Arling- 
ton, 166. 

Bible, price of, 67. 



Bishops Stortford, Josselin's child- 
hood at, I. 
Blake, Robert, 121. 
Books, Centuries of Magdeb^ 60 ; 

Baker, Sir Rich., his Chronicles 
of England^ 60; 

Camden's Britannia^ 104; 

Mercator's Map^ ; 

Cotton, John, on Congregational 
Churches^ 60 ; 

Smalcius, on The lncarnationfi2\ 

Amama, Hebrew Grammar^ 62; 

Sleidan's Commentarie, 66. 

Mead, Joseph, his Clavis Apoca- 
lyptica^ 48; 

Vaser (James Ussher), his Suc- 
cession 48 ; 

The Magdeburgensis^ 69; 

Senertus, Daniel, his Itistitutions^ 
69; 

Josephus, his Jewish History ^d^^ 

Brightman, on the RevelationSt7g; 

London Gazette^ 165, i65n., 173; 

Chamier, Daniel, his de Oecum- 
enico Pontifico^ 7; 

Ferri, Paul, his Specimen^ 59; 

Vossius (John Gerard), on Reli- 
gion, 60; 



186 



INDEX 



Hooker, Thos., on Church Disci- 

piiney 60; 
Bellarmin, Robert, Cardinal, his 

Stair es to God, 59; 
Wharton's Almanac^ 108; 
Borradale,Mr.,Minister atBumpstead, 

3,5- 
Boyle, Roger, ist Earl of Orrery, 160. 

Bradshaw, John, regicide, 63. 

Brereton, Sir William, 20, 21. 

Browne, Sir Richard, parliamentary 

general, 15. 
Bristol, taken by the Royalists, 14. 
Bumpsted, (Essex), 3-6. 
Burleigh House (Lincolnshire) 28. 
Butler, James, 1st Duke of Ormonde, 

66, 66n., 160. 



Cabal, the, 175-6. 

Calamy, Edmund, the elder, 134, 142. 

Callendar House, near Falkirk, taken 
by the English, 89, 89n. 

Cambridge, 3-5, 8, 27, 78, 150, 153, 
160. 

Carew, John, regicide, 136. 

Cattle, see Prices. 

Chalke End, (Essex), 1. 

Charles I, returns from Scotland, 1641, 
12; raises an army, 13; his forces 
defeated at Newbury, 14; at the 
second battle of Newbury, 2 1 ; at 
Naseby, 27; he leaves for Scot- 
land, 32; leaves from Hampton 
Court, 45; his execution, 62-3. 

Charles H, in hiding on the continent, 
92, 92n., 93-4, 97; he returns to 
England and is made king, 134- 
136; passes an Act of Pardon, 
136; his marriage, 137, 138. 

Chatham, Dutch near, 157. 

Chelmsford, 50, 72, 79, 126, 134. 



Chester, Col., his escape from Col- 
chester, 55. 

Chester, Parliamentary victory at, 
31-2. 

Chipburne, Capt. 17. 

Church, the, 19, 24, 25, 29, 48, 60, 76, 
78. 

Clarendon, Earl of, see Hyde. 

Clement, Gregory, regicide, 136. 

Clinton, Edward, Lord Clinton and 
Earl of Lincoln, 160. 

Clogher, bishop of, yy. 

Colman, 175. 

Committee Money, 72, 

Committee of Defence, 19, I9n. 

Common Prayer, book of, 72, 

Coventicle, Act, 145. 

Cooke, Col., 24, 30, 50, 72. 

Cooke, John, regicide, 136. 

Colchester, plague at, 16, 48 sq. 

Compton, SirWilliam, his escape from 
Colchester, 55. 

Cooper, Anthony Ashly, 1st Earl of 
Shaftesbury, 32, 171, i7in., 180, 
i8on. 

Coote, Sir Chas., 88, 88n. 

Corbet, Miles, regicide, 139-140. 

Com, see Prices. 

Cornet Castle, in Guernsey, 95, 95n. 

Covenant, the new, 14, I4n. 

Crane, Lieut., 24. 

Cranham, in Essex, Josselin preaches 
at, 9; he is married there, 9. 

Cromwell, Henry, son of Oliver Crom- 
well, 112. 

— , Oliver, Protector., 40, 55, 67, 68, 
70, 76, 77^ 84, 86, 87, 89, 90, 103, 
105, 107, 111, 112, 114, 118, 120,- 
121, 122, 124. 
— , death of, 125. 
— Richard, Protector, 129. 

Culpepper, Col., escape of, from Col- 
chester, 55. 



INDEX 



187 



D 



Danby, sec Osborne. 

Deane, (Bedfordshire), 6, 7. 

Decimated men, 129, I29n. 

Declaration, Act of, 118. 

Derbyshire, 29. 

Desborough, John, major-general, 41. 

Devereux, Robert, 3rd Earl of, 14; his 

defeat at Lostwithiel, 18 ; his 

death, 35. 
Directory, the, 25, 27. 
Dissenters, 181. 
Douglas's Regiment, embarks at 

Harwich, 176. 
Dover, Treaty of (1670), 161, i6in.' 
Downing, Sir Geo., 140. 
Drake bullet, use of the, 51. 
Dublin, royalists at, 66-69. 
Dutch work, see weavers. 



Earl's Colne (Essex) Josselin accepts 
the ministry at, 10-12; parishion- 
ers of, 12, 14, 16, 20-21,22, 24, 34, 
36, 51. 52, 55» 57, 59, 74; weather, 
20, 31, 37, 46, 49, and passim; 
crops in, 32, 35, 37, 42, 45, 46, 49, 
52, 53, 55* 59, 68, 78, and ^a5s/m; 
attacked by the Royalists, 50-1 ; 
school at 72, 81, 85, 121, 122 and 
passim. 

Eastern Association, the, 13, I3n., 24, 
24n. 

Eden, Lady, 14. 

Edgehill, battle of, 13. 

Engagement, the, 70-1, 78-9. 

England,' king of, see Charles I & 
Charles II. 

— , queen of, Catherine of Brag- 
anza, 137, 143, 159, 174. 
Henrietta Maria, 12, 147. 



Essex, Civil War in, 13, 23-26, 41-45, 
53-55; plague in, 147- 1 55 ; ^"lall 
pox in, 85-87 ; volunteers raised 
in, 90; see Earl's Colne and Col- 
chester. 
Earl of, see Devereux. 

Excise, 20. 

Exeter, in the hands of the Parliament, 

32. 
Eyres, 109. 



Fagge, Sir John, 168, i68n. 

Fairfax, Thomas, 3rd baron, routed at 
Adwalton Moor, 1643, 14; false 
rumour of defeat of, in the North, 
25 ; victory at Naseby, 27 ; in Essex, 
41 ; lays down the commission, 76 ; 
declares for free Parliament, 132. 

Fifth Monarchy Men, no, 115, 136. 

Finch, Heneage, ist Earl of Notting- 
ham, 171. 

Fire, of London, 154-5. 

Foreign Intelligence, loss of Prince 
Rupert's fleet off the coast of Spain 
80 • French victory over the Span- 
ish at Rheteb, 80, 8on. ; earthquake 
in Archipelago, 81 ; inundation in 
Flanders,and of the Seine at Paris, 
81 ; Cardinal Mazarin and France, 
82 ; relations with France and 
Spain, 86-7; war with Portugal, 
87, 87n. ; The Cossack revolt 
against the Poles, 89, 89n.;French 
affairs, 91-2, 92n., 94; Peace of 
Westphalia, 95, 95n. ; disturbed 
relations with other nations, 96, 
97, 99; victory of the Dutch fleet 
off Dungeness, 1651, 100, loon.; 
English relations with the Conti- 
nent, loi, loin.; English victory 
over the Dutch, 102; English mer- 



188 



INDEX 



Hants taken by Spaniards, 103.; 
Defeat of the Dutch fleet by the 
English, 104, I04n., 105, I05n.; 
Peace with Holland, 105, I05n.; 
French victory over Spain at 
Arras, 107; English fleet in the 
Mediterranean, 108, io8n.; Span- 
ish victory over the French at 
Valenciennes, 116; Disturbed state 
of the Continent, 117, 119, 123; 
Copenhagen taken, 127, I27n.; 
war between Spain and Portugal, 
143, 144, 145; peace on the Con- 
tinent, 145; war with Holland, 
154-156, 162-3 ; war between 
France and Holland, 172-4. 



Gascoigne, Sir Bernard, royalist, 53, 

53n. 

Gaynes Colne, (Essex), 12. 

Graham, James, ist Marquis of Mont- 
rose, 28-29. 

Gloucester, Duke of, see Stuart. 

Goring, George, Earl of Norwich, 50. 

Gravesend, the Dutch near, 157. 

Gresham, Mr., at the Exchange in 
London, 159. 

Grey, Thos. Baron Grey de Groby, 
109, i09n. 

Grey, Thomas, 2nd Earl of Stamford, 
183. 

Grimes, Lt. Col. 30, 32. 

Gwynne, Nell, death of her mother, 

177- 



H 



Hackney, school at, 167. 
Haines, Major of Horse, 23-24, 28, 
30, 3i» 37, 55, 67, 72-3. 78, 84, 



94, 99, 109, no, 112, ii3n., 

116. 
Harlaken^en, Margaret, 122, 123. 
Harlakenden, Mrs., 127-129. 
Harlakenden, Richard, of the Priory, 

10-12, 19, 21, 24, 31, 37, 39, 55, 59, 

64, 65, 68, 71, 80 and passim. 

— death of, 127-128. 
, his son, 71. 

Thomas, 10, 15, 65. 
Harlakenden, William, Commissary 

General to the Earl of Manchester, 

18, 21-23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 32, 37-8, 

64, 80, 87. 

, Chaplain, 27. 

Harrison, Thos. regicide, 89, 136. 
Hastivile, Baron, Protestant refugee, 

19- 
" Highway trade " 179. 

Hinningham, (Essex), 17, 41, 49, 127, 

131. 
Hispaniola, great losses at, 112. 

Holborne, Sir Robert, 25. 

Holmes, Sir Robert, 162. 

Honywood, Sir Thomas, 15, 18, 19, 

38,50,61, 153. 
, wife of, 15, 23, 26, '32, 50-53, 

163, 165; her death in 1680, 179. 
Hopton, Ralph, isl baron, his defeat 

at Cheriton, 15. 
Hotham, Sir John, I4n. 
Hotham,John, son of Sirjohn Hotham, 

I4n. 
House of Commons, 12, 23,41, 43, 46, 

61, 63. 157, 168. 

Lords, 63, 165, see Parliament. 

Hull, threatened by the Royalists, 14. 
Huntingdon, Josselin at, 6, 28. 
Hyde, Anne, Duchess of York, 136. 
Hyde, Edward, Earl of Clarendon, 

136. 
Hyde Park, 138. 
Hythe, 53. 



INDEX 



189 



I 



Impropriations, 21, 36-8. 
Indemnity^ Act of, 135. 
Independents, 19, no, 117. 
Ireland, rebels in, 17; royalists in, 66- 

7; they take Culmore Castle, 67; 

Ormond defeated by General Jones 

at Rathmines, 68; plague in, 76; 

royalist reverses in, 78, 88. 
Ireland, William, {alias Ironmonger), 

174- 
Ireton, Henry, regicide, 94, 96. 



J 



Jacob, Sir John, 23, 37. 

Jamaica, 114. 

Jones, John, regicide, 136. 

Jermaine, Col., Major of Foot, 24. 

Jesuits, loi, 174, 177. 

Jews, 112. 

Josselin, Rev. Ralph, his birth and 
childhood, i; his education, i, 2; 
at Jesus College, Cambridge, 3, 
4, 5; his family relations, 4,6, 11, 
16, 19, 25, 26, and passim ; his 
father's death, 5; becomes usher 
to Mr. Xeale, of Deane, 7 ; his 
friends, 5, 14, 17, 26, 31, and pas- 
sim ;his preference for the ministry 
8; his marriage, 9; he teaches at 
Cranham, 10; he accepts the min- 
istry of Earl's Colne, 10; yearly 
state of his accounts, 10, 21, 42, 
46, 49, 61, and passim ; births of 
his children, 12, 15,46,65,91, 144; 
purchase of land by, 20, 33, 34, 35, 
40,42 ; he becomes army cftaplain 
to Col. Harlakenden's regiment, 
27; he rides to London, 40, 41; 
deaths of his children, 46-7, 73-5; 
death of his friend, Mrs. Mary 



Church, 75 ; writes a news-letter 
for New- England, 73 ; preaches 
before the Lord Mayor, 91 ; re- 
ceives an order for becoming an 
assistant in ejecting inefficient 
ministers and schoolmasters, 123; 
he is plundered by the royalists, 
51 ; thinks of leaving Earl's Colne, 
55-60 ; education of his children, 
69, 70, 71 ; he becomes school- 
master of Earl's Colne, 71-75, 76, 
78, 79, 81 ; he fears losing the 
mastership, 120, 122, 126; travels 
to Worcester, 127-128 ; and to 
Tunbridge Wells, 168; marriages 
of his children, 161, 172, 182 ; his 
last illness, 181-3. 
Juxon, William, Archbishop of Canter- 
bury, 143, 161. 



K 



Kempe, Mr., of Sutton, 5-6. 



Lambert, John, Major-General, 89, 
131, 132, 134. 

Lancashire, 67. 

Land, delivery of, 40. 

— value of, 68. 

Lant, Thomas, tutor at Cambridge, 3. 

Laud, William, Archbishop of Canter- 
bury, 18, 23, 29, 60. 

Laurence, Capt. 42. 

Lawson, Sir John, Admiral, death of, 

H7- 
Lectures, 11, 12, 14, 49, 118, 133, 140. 

Leicester Abbey, 28-9, 29n. 

Leicester, taken by Royalists, 26-27, 

33. 
Leigh, Mr., his school at Bishops Stort- 

ford, 2. 



190 



INDEX 



Levellers, the, 64-5, 69, 109. 
License to marry, 107. 
Lilburne, Lt. Col. 64, 97. 
Lincoln, Earl of, see Clinton. 
Lisle, Sir Geo., royalist, death of, 53. 
London, 9, 11, 22, 40, 41, 44, 45, 138. 

— St. Paul's, 138, 174. 

— See Whitehall, and Josselin, R. 
London, Lord Mayor of, Thos. Foote. 

91; John Treton, 133; Sir Robert 
Viner, 167. 
London, bishop of, William Juxon, 1 1 . 
— , Humphrey Henchman, 146, 

159. 
Long Parliament, 9. 

Lord's Supper, 38-80, 82, 83, 146. 

Lorraine, Duke of, 86. 

Love, Mr., death of, 88, 88n. 

Lovedyn, Dr., 29. 

Lucas, Sir Chas., royalist, death of, 53. 

Ludlow, Edmund, regicide, 94. 

Lutherans, creed of, 19, 66. 



M 



Montagu, Edward, 2nd Earl of Man. 

Chester and Viscount Mandeville, 

7,9,21-22, 114, ii4n. 
Montrose, Marquis of, see Graham. 
Munster, bishop of, 149. 



N 



Nailor, see Naylor. 

Naseby, battle of, 26. 

Nayler, James, quaker, 119. 

Neale, Mr., schoolmaster of Deane, 

6-7. 
Nettles, Stephen, controversialist (?) 17. 
Newark, Royalist victory at, 15. 
Newbury, battles of, 14; 21. 
New England, plantations in, 25; 

losses at sea, near, 25, 73, 100, 102. 
Newport Pannell, Northampton, 15. 
Nonconformists, 160, 161, 169. 
Norfolk, 6, 7, 79, 130. 
Northamptonshire, 7, 15. 
Norwich, Earl of, see Goring. 
Nottingham, Earl of, see Finch. 



Major Generals, 1 14. 

Malignants, 90. 

Manasseh, Ben. Israel, 95. 

Mandeville, Lord, see Montagu. 

Manor Courts, 77. 

Martin, Henry, 64, 64n. 

Massey, Sir Edward, Major-General, 
44. 

Merrill, Mr., librarian to Lord Man- 
deville, 7. 

Militia, 44. 

Ministry, committee for plundered, 
81. 

— , ejection of, 123. 

Monck, George, ist Duke of Albe- 
marle, 132, 135; his death, 160; 
his wife's death soon after, 160. 

Monmouth, Duke of, 177. 



Gates, Titus, 33. 

Okey, John, regicide, 139-140. 

Olny, (Bucks), 7-9, 14, 16. 

Orange, William, Prince of, 172, 

173. 
Orleans, Henrietta-Maria, Duchess of, 

161. 
Ormonde, Duke of, see Butler. 
Orrery, see Boyle. 
Osborne, Sir Thos., ist Earl of Danby, 

Marquis of Carmarthen, Duke of 

Leeds, 174, I74n. 176. 
Owen Dr., Dean of Christ Church 

48, 84-85, 84n., 116, 118, 168. 
Oxford, 69. 
Oxford, Earl of, see Verc. 



INDEX 



191 



PuUein, Samuel, Archbishop of Tuam, 
122, 125, 135. 



Pairing Courts, 36. 

Papists, 137, 142, 164, 180. 

Parliament, 9, 13, 21, 44, 48, 61 and 
passim ; orders the removal of 
images in the churches, 12; col- 
lects an army, 13 ; accept the 
covenant, 14 ; House of Lords 
abolished, 63 ; turned out by the 
army, io3,Barebones Parliament, 
104, I04n.; dissolved by Crom- 
well 108^; second Protectorate 
Parliament, 116-119, ii6n. ; dis- 
solved by Cromwell, 124 ; third 
Protectorate Parliament, dissolv- 
ed by Richard Cromwell, 129, 
I29n.; first Parliament of Charles 
II, 138; Act of Uniformity passed 
by, 140; money voted to king for 
the French war, 173 ; the third 
Parliament of Charles II, 179, 
I79n. 

Parliamentary elections, 107, 117, 175. 

Pelham, speaker in the House of Com- 
mons, 16, 44, 46-7. 

Peterborough, John Towers, Bishop 
of, 8. 

Peters, Hugh, regicide, 136. 

Pirate, a '• King's ", 25. 

Plague, the, 34, 76, 107, 147, 148, 149 sq. 

Plot, Waller's 14, I4n. 

— the Popish, 174 sq. 

Poyer, John, royalist, 49, 49n. 

Presbyterians, no. 

Preston, battle of, 55. 

Prices : hops, 21; meat, 35; wool, 37; 
provisions, 45. 61, 63-5; corn, 32, 
70, 93-4, 105, 139, 141, 159; cattle, 
76, 107, 130; hay 98; silver plate, 
124, 126; wages, 12, 94, 126, 136. 

Procurations, 141. 

Protestation, the, 11. 



Quakers, the, 111-112, 114-115, 118, 
130, 139, 144, 166, 177. 

R 

Rainsborough , [ Rainborow ] Col . 
Thos., assination of, at Doncaster, 

59. 
Rich, Charles, elected knight of the 

Shire, 126. 

Rich, Lady Mary, Countess of War- 
wick, 165. 

Rich, Nathaniel, 109, I09n, no. 

Rich, Robert, 2nd Earl of Warwick, 30. 

Richmond, Duke of, see Stuart. 

Rogers, John, 1 19, i I9n. 

Rossiter, Col., 28. 

Rupert, Prince, 25, 25n., 80. 

Russell, William, Lord, 183. 

Rutlandshire, 28. 



Sabatai, prophet of the Jews, 152. 
Saltonstall, Lady, death of, 139. 
Savoyards, the, in. 
Scarborough, 24. 
School, Josselin's, at Earl's Colne, 73, 

75. 79 sq. 

Scotland, royalist reverses at Mussel- 
burgh, 77-78; Siege of Edinburgh 
Castle, 80; Scots invade England, 
89-91; they are driven back, 90-1. 

Scot, Thos., regicide, 136. 

Scroope, Adrian, regicide, 136. 

Sequestration, 14. 

Service Books, 140. 

Shaftesbury, Earl of, see Cooper. 

Shipman, Sir Abraham, 55. 



192 



INDEX 



Ships, Josselin buys a share in one, 

15, 19 ; of Colchester, taken by 

Irish rebels, 17. 
Skippon, Philip, 44. 
South wark, 44. 
Spalditch, Josselin spends the night 

at, 7. 
Sports : Shovelboard, 8 ; * cat on the 

green, ' 137 ; hunting, 30. 
Stamford, Earl of, see Grey. 
Stamford, Josselin at, 28-9. 
Stuart, Princess Elizabeth, her death, 

78. 
— , Henry, Duke of Gloucester, 136. 
— , James, 4th Duke of Lennox and 

1st Duke of Richmond, 32. 
— , — , Duke of York, 136, 138, 159, 

178, 180. 
— , — , his marriage, 165-6, 176. 
Surplice, use of the, 178. 
Sutton, (Bedfordshire), 5. 
Symons, Mr., of Bumpstead, 3. 



Tangier, Fleet, 150. 

Taylor, Captain, 45. 

Thirloe, John, 129. 

Ticket Money, 100. 

Tilbury, 44. 

Torrington, Parliamentary victory at, 

31-2. 
Train Bands, 25, 29. 
Tuam, Archbp. of, sec Pullein. 
Tunbridge Wells, 168. 
Turner, Serjeant, 34, 41. 
Turnor, Mr., 126. 

U 

Uniformity, Act of, 140, 141. 
Upminster, (Essex), Josselin teaches 

at, 9-10. 
Uxbridge, treaty of, 24, 24n. 



Vane, Sir Henry. 

Vere, Lady Anne, of Tilbury, 160 ; 
her death, 162. 

Vere, Aubrey de, 20th Earl of Ox- 
ford, 48, 122-123. 

Viner, Sir Robert, Lord Mayor of 
London, 167. 

Visitation, (Bishop's), 146. 

— , (Archdeacon's), 141, 147, 161, 169, 
171. 

Volunteers, 90. 



W 



Wages, see Prices. 

Wakeman, Sir Geo., 177. 

Waller, Edmund, poet, his plot to 
betray London to the king, 14. 

Waller, Sir William, defeat at Round- 
way Down, 1643, 14 ; victorious 
at Cheriton, 15; in the West, 25. 

Wansford, bridge, 28. 

Warner, Capt., 28. 

Warwick, Earl of, see Rich. 

Warwick, Lady, see Rich, 

Weavers, Dutch, at Colchester, 16. 

Wethersfield, manuscripts at, 19. 

Whalley, Edward, regicide, 46. 

Whitehall, 139. 

Wildman, Sir John, 109, I09n. 

Williamson, Sir Joseph, 174, I74n. 

Woolph, Mr, 28. 

Worcester. 90, 91, 127, 133. 

— battle of, 90, 91. 

Wormington, (Northants.), Josselin 
preaches his first sermon at, 7. 



York, Duke of, see Stuart. 



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